Pirelli tyres set to create fun Monaco race

It's looking unlikely that this weekends Monaco Grand Prix will be like any other.

While the use of DRS in practice and qualifying appears a scary concept, in the race the use of the moveable rear wing will be limited to the DRS Zone and much like the last race in Spain, its impact is likely to be limited.

But with Pirelli announcing a few weeks ago that their PZero soft tyre will be matched with their supersoft tyre for the first time this season, tyre strategy is set to once again be key this weekend.

'we’re excited to be moving onto a completely different challenge: the street circuits of Monaco and Canada with the introduction of our new PZero Red supersoft tyre.” Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery told formula1.com.

With only limited running time in pre-season testing the teams are all heading into the race weekend with a blank sheet of paper, with none of the teams having a clear idea how things will pan out until they hit the track on Thursday.

(Don't forget if you like to watch the first two practice sessions on the BBC red button, they are on Thursday not Friday in Monte Carlo).

'There is a going to be a lot of tyre degradation as we have got the super soft and the soft tyres there, so it is going to be very tricky for all of us. It will make it fun for sure.' McLaren driver Jenson Button told the BBC.

But despite the unknown, the improved performance by McLaren has given them cause for optimism and McLaren are eyeing a 15th win in Monaco.

'We've seen both Lewis and Jenson do great jobs there, they love Monaco, we've won it 14 times and we'd like to do it again,' McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh added.