Lewis Hamilton said he had hoped F1’s new ultra-soft tyre compound would be more aggressive after trying it in Monaco.

F1’s official tyre supplier Pirelli has introduced the new tyre, identified by purple markings, for tracks where tyre degradation is low.

“Although the new tyres are definitely softer than the other compounds they still feel pretty hard around here,” said Hamilton, who was second-fastest on Thursday in Monaco. “It’s not as easy to get them in the window as we would hope.”

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery said the new tyre “has delivered everything we wanted from it so far – extra performance and the potential to have an effect on strategy”.

“From what we can see so far, we’d expect to get more than 15 laps out of this tyre before it’s necessary to come in and change,” he added. “The interesting question will be whether or not this diverts any drivers away from the one-stop strategy.”

Pirelli has already confirmed the ultra-soft tyre will also be used at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and Red Bull Ring, and it may make further appearances before the end of the season.

2016 Monaco Grand Prix