Resurfacing at Monza will have a negative impact on the race

This week, the Italian Grand Prix has been talked about a lot. If the many changes of drivers are at the heart of the priorities, the new look of the track has also not escaped the media. All eyes are on the significant changes made to the circuit. If they could allow to achieve the best lap ever known in Monza, they could also change the course of the race. And the temperatures of this weekend have their part to play.

The circuit is gaining a new beauty

The complete resurfacing of the Monza track is the most important novelty for this year’s race. If it is also accompanied by a change in the layout, it is because it has a very specific goal: to bring a touch of modernity to the circuit. Just before the signing of a new contract between Formula 1 and Monza, the sport’s general director had warned the circuit about its aging facilities. Facing the threat of not getting a new contract in 2025, the Italian Grand Prix took matters into their own hands by carrying out construction work just weeks before the Grand Prix.

At the beginning of August, the track was visited by Pirelli engineers to observe the new surface and present their findings to the FIA and Formula 1 teams. According to the report they shared, the asphalt is much smoother, but above all, darker. And while this information may not seem important at first glance, in reality, it could change the race results. With the weather forecast already mentioned earlier in the week, Monza could experience track temperatures exceeding 50°C on the ground with an outside temperature of 32°C. But with the darker surface, these weather conditions could worsen.

High temperatures in Monza

The few extra degrees will have an impact not on the single-seater itself, but rather on the Pirelli tires chosen this weekend. Like last year, the compounds used for the sessions are the softest. Namely the C3 for the hards, the C4 for the mediums, and the C5 for the softs. If this choice allows Monza to achieve speed records, it is because it increases grip on the track. The softer the tire, the faster the single-seater will go.

However, this year, with a modified asphalt, the team will face a new issue. If a softer tire grips better on the track, it also wears out faster, which could force teams to make two stops. With the track temperature increasing now, the tires will wear out more quickly than usual, and this could impact strategies. As a result, teams will have to be cautious of tire overheating.

Last year, the majority of teams had opted for a one-stop strategy, but if the tires wear out faster in 2024, the race car will go slower. This year, it will probably be more common to make an extra pit stop to limit the damage. But then, the on-track ranking could change completely. Since the beginning of the season, the two Mercedes have been particularly affected by tire overheating. If with the recent data, we could have considered an additional pit stop, now it is more than likely that the German team will enter the pit lane twice.

The free practice sessions will be crucial in establishing the weekend’s strategy. At Monza, teams traditionally set up their cars in the lowest aerodynamic configuration of the season to minimize drag and maximize top speed. However, the combination of new asphalt, high temperatures, and numerous fast corners on the circuit may lead them to reconsider their decision. As the final European round of the season, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza could bring a new winner, just as it did for Pierre Gasly in 2020.