Pirelli causes major Monaco surprise with unusual strategy predictions

Pirelli's strategy predictions for the Monaco Grand Prix are a little different from usual, in that it has not provided any. 

Usually, on a Sunday morning, it provides the media with a predicted strategy for the upcoming grand prix detailing the fastest way for drivers to complete the race, with an alternate strategy. 

The Monaco Grand Prix is usually a one-stop race, owing to the low speeds not causing much tyre degradation, but in bid to spice up the race, this year, every driver must complete at least two pit-stops. 

Drivers must use at least three different sets of tyres, with at least two different compounds used, meaning a driver could attempt a Medium-Hard-Hard strategy, or even a Soft-Medium-Hard if they so wished.

But in providing its usual pre-race graphics, Pirelli has caused something of a surprise, as can be seen in the image directly below. 

The article continues below the graphic. 

What do the tyre sets tell us?

Well, thankfully, Pirelli has provided the usual tyre sets available for each car going into the race, and some things are evident.

Firstly, both McLarens have two new sets of the hard tyres available and one new medium, meaning they are likely to run Medium-Hard-Hard. 

Charles Leclerc has one new hard and one new medium available, but also has a second used set of mediums, in contrast to Lewis Hamilton who has one new and one used hard and a used medium. 

Max Verstappen is something of an outlier.

The Red Bull, from fourth on the grid, has one new hard and one new medium available, meaning he is likely to have to use the soft tyres at some point. 

There is nothing stopping a driver from starting on the soft tyres, pitting at the end of Lap 1, for mediums, pitting again at the end of Lap 2 for hards and then running to the end of the race, for example...