Mercedes wary of 'risk' at revised Monza track

Mercedes technical director James Allison has highlighted a key “risk” that could emerge at the Monza Circuit this weekend.

The high-speed track once again plays host to the Italian Grand Prix and has been a permanent fixture on the F1 schedule since the start of the world championship, bar an absence in 1980.

For the upcoming weekend, the Monza track has been resurfaced, a common refurbishment that all tracks undergo at various stages.

Allison stated the new surface, combined with the softest range of Pirelli compounds, could mean tyre graining occurs throughout the weekend.

“It's going to be an interesting weekend,” Allison said.. 

“Monza has just been resurfaced, so new tarmac throughout and with Pirelli electing to bring the softest of the rubber to that track. 

“New tarmac is very grippy, but it also brings with it the risk of graining. That's when the tyre sticks to the road and tears, physically tears itself to bits if it turns out that the stress is too high in the tyre. So that'll be a thing to look out for.”

Mercedes hopeful for 'podium or better' at Monza

Mercedes enter the round from Monza on the back of a difficult Dutch Grand Prix that saw it classify in seventh and eighth with its cars.

Prior to the race from the Netherlands, Mercedes was consistently competing at the front of the grid, winning three out of the four races held before the summer break.

As it looks to regain its form, Allison has backed the Silver Arrows to enjoy a competitive weekend at Monza.

“I think that we ought to be able to get the car dialled in alright on the setup,” he said. 

“We'll go and figure out for sure whether that aero upgrade that we bought to Zandvoort was hampering us or helping us. 

“And with a bit of luck, just a smooth weekend competing, I hope, for a podium or better. But we'll see what happens when we get there.”