P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The knife-edge performance of Pirelli’s new softest C6 compound has prompted teams to try some unusual tyre blanket tactics in a bid to unleash its best performance
Teams are adapting unusual tyre blanket tactics to unleash the performance of Pirelli’s new softest C6 compound, which offers more performance and peak grip, but with a trade-off due to its softness causing movement under heavy loads and thermal sensitivity.
There is indecision among teams for the Monaco Grand Prix qualifying on which tyre to use, as they are not keen on the medium tyres due to slower warm-up times and needing sets for the race, making the qualifying choice unclear.
The key for teams is to find the right operating window for the C6 to maximize its performance over a full qualifying lap, with some opting to not heat the tyre as much as usual, leaving pits cooler for potentially better performance later.
This tactic was noticed at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and has carried over to Monaco, where some teams are experimenting with blanket temperatures below the maximum 70-degree stipulated limit to have consistent grip throughout the lap.
Though not heating tyres up as much has its downsides like higher pressure once in the operating window, teams are focused on maximizing the C6’s performance for the critical one lap of qualifying.
Despite some uncertainty, teams are leaning towards the C6 soft tyre as the preferred option for qualifying, aiming to strike the perfect balance for optimal performance.
