Visa RB expects the resurfaced Monza track to offer surprises
Embarking on its second home race of the season, the Visa Cash RB team expects the resurfaced Monza track to offer surprises, suggesting that the new asphalt could have an effect on the grip level on the traditionally low-degradation layout.
Having just missed out on points at the Dutch Grand Prix, Visa Cash RB’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo will arrive at Monza with positive feelings as he scored his last victory with McLaren at the Temple of Speed.
“Pumped to be on track again this week, especially at Monza. Although we didn’t score points in Zandvoort, we executed a great race and definitely got the most out of the car and strategy, I know we can build on that this week.
“I’ve always got great memories of Monza, the fans are amazing, the win in 2021, but most importantly the pizza is something special.”
His team-mate Yuki Tsunoda expects the freshly-resurfaced track to evolve quickly over the weekend which can make it tricky for the teams to find the right setup.
“Monza is always a special weekend, not just because it’s another home race for the team where we can expect plenty of support from our fans, but because it is really unique, as the last true high-speed circuit on the calendar. Driving a car with very little downforce is always exciting.
"The whole track has been completely resurfaced so none of the teams really know what to expect, although it could offer more grip than in the past, which will have a knock-on effect on tyre performance. Finding the right set-up will be tricky as the track will evolve very quickly from one session to the next.”
The Monza circuit has been recently resurfaced, and the new darker asphalt might significantly change the way the track absorves heat.
RB racing director Alan Permane has suggested that the freshly-resurfaced layout might change the way tyres work at Monza where tyre wear is usually very low.
“Monza is a popular circuit on the F1 calendar among teams and drivers. Constructed in the 1920’s, you can feel the history of the place and still see the original banking in places. Modern Monza is a low downforce and high speed circuit with the cars regularly exceeding 350kph.
"With high speed comes high braking demands, from 350kph the cars drop to around 70kph for the turn 1/2 chicane and the brake cooling must be optimised to allow good performance but also to prevent overheating and excessive material wear.
"For 2024 the track has been completely resurfaced, traditionally it’s been a low tyre wear and degradation race, but a new surface may change this, and parts of Friday’s practice sessions will be devoted to checking the tyre behaviour for Sunday’s race to help prepare for the optimum race strategy.”
