Formula 1 teams have opted to stack up on Ultrasoft tyres for the Monaco Grand Prix, with the purple-banded compound set to be used extensively.
Under Formula 1 regulations, sole supplier Pirelli nominates three compounds for each event – in Monaco’s case the Ultrasoft, Supersoft and Soft – with each driver receiving 13 sets of tyres.
One set of either Supersofts or Softs must be used for one stint of the Grand Prix, while one batch of Ultrasofts must be set aside for use only in Q3.
Under 2016 regulations, drivers were given freedom to choose their compounds for the remaining 10 sets.
This rule was temporarily suspended for the first five races of 2017, with Pirelli giving each driver the same choice as a precaution, due to the larger-sized tyres, but from Monaco, last year’s rules return.
Both Red Bull, Williams and Renault drivers have loaded up on Ultrasofts, and will each have 11 sets of the purple-banded rubber available.
Mercedes and Toro Rosso will have the fewest sets of Ultrasofts available – still a substantial nine – while the remaining teams will have 10 sets of Ultrasofts.
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