Pirelli thinks strategy will be decisive in Monaco due to abolition of rule

The C3, C4 and C5 compounds will make their appearance as the hard, medium and soft tires respectively. The smooth asphalt (which is opened to traffic every night) and low speeds mean that the energy passing through the tires is low, resulting in minimal wear and degradation.

Pirelli expects strategy to make the difference

Pirelli, therefore, assumes that one pit stop will be sufficient during Sunday's race. The timing of the pit stops may however be influenced by the safety car, which usually makes its appearance in the narrow streets of Monte Carlo.

Mario Isola suspects that strategy can make a difference, especially with the abolition of the rule that required drivers to start the race on the same tires they used to set their fastest time in Q2.

"Some drivers may opt for harder compounds to begin the race to target running a long first stint, given the difficulty of overtaking. Others may choose a more traditional approach by starting on the softest compound, at a race where strategy can make a real difference," concludes the Pirelli boss.