Ferrari reckons temperature sensitivity key to Formula 1's 2012 fluctuations

Ahead of a Monaco Grand Prix that could deliver a sixth different winner in the first six races of the campaign for the first time in history, teams have been left in no doubt that extracting performance from the tyres in 2012 is the key to success.

And Fry suggests the situation is complicated for teams because the performance of the Pirelli tyres appears to be so linked to weather conditions.

"It is certainly unpredictable," Fry told Ferrari's official website about this year's tyre situation. "It varies, and small changes in track temperature have a large effect on tyre performance. I think it was China where that showed up the most."

Fry also thinks that the nature of the tyres, with their high degradation, is putting a premium on drivers looking after their rubber in the races.

"They are also quite sensitive to the way the drivers drive them," he said. "In a normal three-stop race, if you are very, very careful on the rear tyres then you might be able to get them to last for a two-stop race.

"But you cannot drive hard on the tyres otherwise they degrade. It is also a little bit that when you try and push the tyres, you tend to damage them a little bit. When you fight in traffic, you take more out of the tyres than if you are running in clear air."