Formula One tyres explained

Formula One tyres are specialised racing tyres designed for use on a Formula One car. These tyres play a crucial role in the car's performance, affecting grip, handling, and overall speed. The tyres have undergone major changes throughout the history of Formula One with different manufacturers and specifications used in the sport.

Design and usage

Formula One tyres bear only a superficial resemblance to a normal road tyre. Whereas the latter has a useful life of up to 80000km (50,000miles), the tyres used in Formula One are built to last less than one race distance. The purpose of the tyre determines the compound of the rubber to be used. In extremely wet weather, such as that seen in the 2007 European Grand Prix, the F1 cars are unable to keep up with the safety car in deep standing water due to the risk of aquaplaning. In very wet races, such as the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, the tyres are unable to provide a safe race due to the amount of water, and so the race can be red flagged. The race is either then stopped permanently or suspended for up to a 3-hour period until the cars can race safely again. Both the latter – and successively the former – situations occurred at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.

History

During the 1950s and 1960s, Formula One tyres were supplied by Dunlop, Englebert, Firestone, Continental and Goodyear. In 1958, Dunlop introduced its R5 racing tyre, replacing the cotton fabric of the earlier R1 to R4 tyres with nylon fabric, allowing for a reported 12 lb reduction in tyre weight.[1] During the 1960s, Dunlop introduced improved nylon casings, reduced aspect ratio, significantly increased tyre width, and the use of synthetic rubber.

Slick tyres were introduced to Formula One by Firestone at the 1971 Spanish Grand Prix.[2] 1975's Ferrari 312T used a Goodyear 26.0"×16.2"–13" slick tyre (overall diameter × width) in the rear on a 13"×18" rim, with a Goodyear 20.0"×9.2"–13" slick tyre in the front on a 13×10" rim.[3]

For the 1981 season the maximum diameter of the rear tyre was limited to 26.0", while the diameter of the front tyres was increased. Therefore, from 1981 until 1992, Goodyear supplied white sidewall marked Eagle tyres with the sizes of 25.0"×10.0"–13" in the front and 26.0"×15.0"–13" in the rear.[4] For the 1993 season, the complete wheel width of the rear was reduced from 18" to 15".[5] This prompted Goodyear to change to yellow sidewall markings to correspond to the new, narrower rear tyres which were approximately 12.8" wide, down from the previous 15.0".

For the 1997 F1 season, Bridgestone joined Goodyear in supplying tyres to F1 competitors, creating a tyre war between the two manufacturers. Goodyear would leave the sport following the 1998 season,[6] leaving Bridgestone as the sole tyre provider for the next two seasons.

In 1998, grooved tyres were introduced with three groove lines in the front tyres and four groove lines in the rear tyres.[7] Between and, regulations required the tyres to feature a minimum of four 14mm grooves in them, with the intention of slowing the cars down. This is because a slick tyre, with no indentations, provides the most grip in dry conditions.[8] [9] They could be no wider than 355mm at the front and 380mm at the rear, and the maximum diameter was 660mm, or 670mm for wet tyres.[10]

In, Michelin entered Formula One, once again creating a tyre war after Bridgestone had been the sole tyre provider for the preceding two seasons.[11]

In, tyre changes were disallowed in Formula One, therefore the compounds were harder as the tyres had to last the full race distance of around 300km (200miles). Tyre changes were re-instated in, following the dramatic and highly political 2005 United States Grand Prix, which saw Michelin tyres fail on two separate cars at the same turn, resulting in all Michelin runners pulling out of the Grand Prix, leaving just the three teams using Bridgestone tyres to race.

For, Bridgestone again became the sole tyre partner and supplier in Formula One with the withdrawal of Michelin,[12] and introduced four compounds of tyre, two of which are made available at each race. The harder tyre (referred to as the "prime" tyre) is more durable but gives less grip, and the softer tyre (referred to as the "option" tyre) gives more grip but is less durable. Both compounds have to be used by each car during a race and the softer tyre had a painted white stripe in the second groove to distinguish between compounds. This was introduced after the first race of the season when confusion occurred because a small dot was put on the sidewall of the tyre, instead of the white stripe. Upon the reintroduction of slicks in 2009, the sidewalls of the softer tyres were painted green to indicate the difference in compound, as there were no longer any grooves in tyres. Each team must use each specification during the race, unless wet or intermediate tyres are used during the race, in which case this rule no longer applies.

Slick tyres were reintroduced at the beginning of, along with aerodynamic changes intended to shift the balance towards mechanical grip in an attempt to increase overtaking.

On 2 November 2009, Bridgestone announced their withdrawal from Formula One at the end of the season.[13] [14] Michelin, Cooper Avon and Pirelli showed interest in taking over the role of tyre partner and supplier. On 24 June 2010, it was announced that Pirelli would be the sole tyre partner and supplier for and would receive a three-year contract. They thus ended their programmes for both the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and FIA World Rally Championship after spending three years as an official tyre partner and supplier (as the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series switched to Continental and the FIA World Rally Championship switched to Michelin tyres in 2011).[15] During August 2010, Pirelli commenced its test programme with the Toyota TF109 at the Mugello Circuit with Nick Heidfeld as the test driver.[16] From 2011, the feeder GP2 Series used identical Pirelli tyres as in F1.[17]

In 2009, with the removal of the four 14mm grooves, the front tyres gained proportionally larger contact patch. In 2010, the front tyres were narrowed from 270mm to 245mm, in order to improve the balance of grip between the front and rear.[18] In 2011, with the sole tyre supplier having been changed from Bridgestone to Pirelli,[19] the rules were the same as the 2010 season rules concerning the tyres. All teams still were required to use each type of dry tyre compound supplied in the race, and drivers that made it through to Q3 still had to use the same tyres they used to set their fastest qualifying time with to start the race. However, the way of denoting different tyre specifications was changed. Rather than a green stripe denoting a softer compound, for each tyre specification, the lettering on the tyre would have a specific colour. The hard compound would have silver lettering, the medium compound would have white lettering, the soft tyres would have yellow lettering and the super-soft tyres would have red lettering. For the wet tyres, the intermediate tyres would have light blue lettering and the full wet tyres would have orange lettering.[20]

At the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix, Pirelli introduced a coloured band around the outside of the tyre on the softer of the two dry compounds. This was due to confusion during the first round of the season. This measure was said to be a stopgap, with a permanent solution due to be implemented at the first European race of the season. The coloured line featured at the Chinese Grand Prix too.[21] From the Turkish Grand Prix, the permanent solution was implemented; the option compound had a new marking.[22] The option tyre had two thick coloured lines between the Pirelli and P Zero logos of each tyre, which made it easier to see the colour of the marking when the tyre rotates. The prime tyre remained the same markings as previously, though later in the season had the sidewall updated with the new markings.

In 2016, new tyre rules were introduced. Pirelli nominated three different compounds of slick tyres to bring to each race. Each team had 13 sets of dry tyres for the race weekend. Of the 13 sets, two sets of tyres were chosen by Pirelli to be reserved for the race. Additionally, one set of the softest compound were set aside for Q3. Teams were free to choose what they liked for their ten remaining sets from the three chosen compounds. Each driver must have used at least two different dry weather compounds during the race (including one set of the mandatory race tyres), and drivers who made it to Q3 must start the race with the tyres they set their fastest Q2 lap on. Teams were mandated to inform the FIA about their tyre choices eight weeks before the start of a European event and 14 weeks before a non-European race.[23] [24]

In 2012, Pirelli introduced Cinturato sub-brand model exclusively for treaded intermediate and full-rain tyres while the P Zero sub-brand model remains exclusively for dry slicks.

For the 2017 F1 season, significantly wider Pirelli tyres were introduced at both the front and rear axles, while the overall diameter of the tyres was increased by 10mm (660to). Front tyre size increased to 305/670-R13 up from the previous 245/660-R13, while rear-tyre size increased to 405/670-R13 up from the previous 325/660-R13.[25] In 2017 and 2018, the FIA Formula 2 Championship continued to use the pre-2017 size Pirelli F1 tyres.

Pirelli introduced two new tyre compounds for the 2018 F1 season – hypersoft (pink) and superhard (orange). The hard tyre became ice blue.[26]

Heading into the season, Pirelli reduced the tyre range from seven to five dry weather compounds.[27] They also scrapped the tyre naming system such that the tyres were denoted at each Grand Prix independently as hard, medium and soft with white, yellow and red sidewalls respectively rather than having a separate name and colour for each of the five tyres. The change was implemented so that casual fans could better understand the tyre system.

As Formula One wheel rim diameter size will switch from 13to, the tyre diameter of 2022-spec Pirelli Formula One tyres will also be altered, from 670to, while the tread width of 2022-spec Pirelli Formula One tyres are expected to be unchanged.

2005 United States Grand Prix controversy

See main article: 2005 United States Grand Prix.

On Friday, 17 June 2005, during the afternoon's practice session, Ralf Schumacher, who was driving for Toyota, crashed heavily in turn 13 of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, as a result of a left-rear tyre failure. Turn 13 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course is a high-speed banked turn, unique in Formula One racing, that causes a greater than usual lateral load.[28] This pressure can cause the side walls of the tyre to bow and wear in abnormal places.[29]

The following day, Michelin reported that the tyres it had provided for its seven customer teams—BAR, McLaren, Red Bull, Renault, Toyota, Sauber, and Williams—were unsafe for extended high-speed use on this turn, and announced its intention to fly in another set of tyres from its Clermont-Ferrand headquarters.[30] However, the replacement tyres flown in, which were of the type used in the Spanish Grand Prix earlier that year, turned out to have the same problem when tested.[31]

In a letter to FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting, Michelin representatives Pierre Dupasquier and Nick Shorrock revealed that they did not know the cause of Schumacher's tyre failure, and unless the cars could be slowed down in turn 13, Michelin's tyres would be unsafe and unsuitable for use during the race.[32] Whiting replied, expressing his surprise that Michelin had not brought along a second set of tyres. Instead, he suggested that the teams be informed of the maximum safe speed in turn 13, and offered to monitor the turn by penalising any excess speed on the Michelin cars. He also addressed several solutions which had been proposed by the teams, insisting that use of the tyres flown in overnight would result in penalties, and the placement of a chicane in the turn was "out of the question"—the race would not be sanctioned by the FIA (making it a non-championship race) if the track layout was changed. He deemed the Michelin teams' proposals to be "grossly unfair" to the Bridgestone teams. In a second letter, Dupasquier and Shorrock announced that they would not permit their teams to race on Michelin's tyres. The race then took place with only the three Bridgestone teams (Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi) taking part. The race was won by Michael Schumacher.

Make Cars Green campaign

At the 2008 Japanese Grand Prix, the tyres had the grooves painted green, as part of a promotion by the FIA to reduce the impact of motoring on the environment called Make Cars Green. The softer of the two types of tyre still had the second innermost groove painted white, as per normal.[33]

Upon the return of slicks at the beginning of the 2009 season, the white stripe to indicate differences between the tyres was no longer possible due to the lack of grooves on the tyres. Subsequently, in a continuation of the Make Cars Green tyres in Japan, Bridgestone painted the sidewalls of the option tyre green instead.

Tyre summary

There were eight tyre compounds available for the season. Two of these are for wet weather driving, the intermediate (indicated by a green sidewall) for light standing water conditions, and the full wet (indicated by a blue sidewall) for heavy standing water. These are available to all the teams at every Grand Prix. Pirelli announced a change to the available tyre compounds for 2023, with a compound to be inserted between the old C1 and C2 compounds. This change is supposed to provide teams with more flexible strategy options after criticism towards the original C1 compound for a large drop in grip compared to the other tyres.[34] The remaining six tyre compounds are for dry running and are denoted C0 to C5, with C0 being the hardest tyre, meaning it provides the least grip but is the most durable, and C5 being the softest, having the most grip but being the least durable. The six tyre compounds form a sliding scale of durability and grip levels.

Pirelli nominates three of the compounds to be run at each race. Of these three, the hardest compound is named the hard tyre for the weekend and is denoted by a white sidewall, while the softest compound is named the soft and is denoted by a red sidewall, with the third of the nominated tyres named the medium tyre which is denoted by a yellow side wall. Drivers have to use at least two of the dry weather compound tyres during a race, unless the race is affected by wet weather.

With the intention of making tyre usage more sustainable in the future, Formula One will trial a reduction in allocated tyre sets from 13 to 11 at two races in 2023. At these races the use of tyres in qualifying will be mandated as hard in Q1, medium in Q2 and soft in Q3, assuming that the weather is dry. Teams are usually free to choose which tyre compound they run during qualifying.[35]

These are the eight Formula One tyre compounds supplied by Pirelli for the 2023 season
No.Compound details Tread Driving conditions Speed Grip Durability
C0Hard
(white)
colspan=4 Slick Dry 6 – Slowest 6 – Least grip 1 – Most durable
C1Medium
(yellow)
colspan=2 5 5 2
C2Soft
(red)
4 4 3
C33 3 4
C4colspan=2 2 2 5
C5colspan=4 1 – Fastest 1 – Most grip 6 – Least durable
Intermediate
(green)
TreadedWet
(light standing water)
colspan=3
Wet
(blue)
Wet
(heavy standing water)
colspan=3
Source:[36]

Manufacturers

From 2011 onwards, the Italian manufacturer Pirelli is the sole tyre supplier. The deal is currently set to last until the 2027 season.[37]

Past manufacturers include:

Tyre manufacturers by season

The manufacturer that is competing in is shown in bold. These results are correct as of the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix.

Season Manufacturer 1 Wins Manufacturer 2 Wins Manufacturer 3 Wins Manufacturer 4 Wins Manufacturer 5 Wins Manufacturer 6 Wins
Pirelli 6 1 0 0
Pirelli 7 1 0 0
Pirelli 7 1 0 0
Pirelli 8 1 0 0
Pirelli 4 4 1 0 0 0
5 1 1 Pirelli 0 0
5 Pirelli 2 1 0 0
Pirelli 7 1 0 0 0
7 2 1 1 Pirelli 00
8 1 0
9 1
8
9
10
10 0
9 1
4 3 2
6 5 0
6 3 3
6 3 2
10 2 1
7 4
7 5
15 0
15 0
14 0
16 0 0
17 0 0 0
11 5
8 7
11 3
13 2 0 Pirelli 0
8 8 Pirelli 0 0
9 6 Pirelli 0
14 2 Pirelli 0
15 Pirelli 1
15 Pirelli 1
16
16
16 Pirelli 0
16 Pirelli 0
15 Pirelli 1
16
16
16
17
16
17 0
9 7
16
17
13 4
15 2
9 7
15 3
18 1
9 9
17
18
17
19
Pirelli 19
Pirelli 20
Pirelli 19
Pirelli 19
Pirelli 19
Pirelli 21
Pirelli 20
Pirelli 21
Pirelli 21
Pirelli 17
Pirelli 22
Pirelli 22
Pirelli 22
Pirelli 14

Records

Ordered by number of races won. The manufacturer that is competing in is shown in bold. These results are correct as of the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix.

PosManufacturerSeasons[38] StartsWins% <--wins/starts-->Sole
supplier
First winLast winWorld Championships
Drivers Constr.
1 Goodyear49436874.49%113[39] 1965 Mexican Grand Prix1998 Italian Grand Prix2426
2 Pirelli


–present
475[40] 320275[41] 1950 British Grand Prix2024 Belgian Grand Prix19 13
3 Bridgestone19761977
19972010[42]
24417571.72%116[43] 1998 Australian Grand Prix2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix1111
4 Michelin19771984
20012006
21510247.44%01978 Brazilian Grand Prix2006 Japanese Grand Prix64
5 Dunlop19501970
19761977
1758347.42%37[44] 1958 Monaco Grand Prix1970 Belgian Grand Prix89
6 Firestone19501960
19661975
1214840.49%11[45] 1950 Indianapolis 5001972 Italian Grand Prix43
7 Continental19541955
1958
131076.92%01954 French Grand Prix1958 Argentine Grand Prix20
8 Englebert1950195861813.11%01955 Monaco Grand Prix1958 British Grand Prix20
9 Avon19541958
19811982
2900.00%0N/AN/A00

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Evolution of Race Tyres. Stuckey Tyres. 17 November 2018.
  2. Web site: Montjuic, 1971: When Formula 1 met racing slicks. Ernst. Kurt. 12 August 2013. Hemmings Daily. 2019-05-01.
  3. Web site: Ferrari 312T . f1technical.net. 2019-11-07.
  4. Web site: Ferrari F1 87-88 . f1technical.net. en-gb. 17 November 2018.
  5. Web site: F1 rules and stats 1990–1999. f1technical.net. January 2009 . en-gb. 2019-11-06.
  6. Web site: 1997-11-20. Motor Racing: Goodyear to leave F1 after 30 years. 2022-01-26. The Independent. en.
  7. Web site: Tyre use in Formula One. De Groote. Steven. 3 July 2008. f1technical.net. 6 December 2016.
  8. Web site: Formula One – Sporting Regulations – 2007. FIA. 2007-07-13. fia.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. https://web.archive.org/web/20190129122734/https://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/1754DB4574B7A2C0C1257329003642F0/$FILE/2007-F1-SPORTING_REG_13-07-2007.pdf?Openelement. 2019-01-29. live. 2019-08-11.
  9. Web site: Formula One – Technical Regulations – 2008. FIA. 2008-02-22. fia.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. https://web.archive.org/web/20171021004252/https://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/115F0A1E47E0A282C12573FB0042CB0D/$FILE/1-2008%20F1%20TECHNICAL%20REGULATIONS%2022-02-2008.pdf. 2017-10-21. live. 2019-08-11.
  10. Web site: Formula One – Technical Regulations – 2009. 11 July 2008. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 21 November 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080910025533/http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/90D889BE20961303C1257483004B8AC0/$FILE/1-2009%20F1%20TECHNICAL%20REGULATIONS%2011-07-2008.pdf. 10 September 2008. live.
  11. Web site: Michelin to return to F1 in 2001. 2022-01-26. Autosport. en.
  12. Web site: Officially Official: Bridgestone signs exclusive deal with F1. 2022-01-26. Autoblog. en.
  13. News: Bridgestone to Drop Formula One Pact . . 27 March 2020 . 27 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200327153255/https://pitfirst.com/bridgestone-the-legendary-f1-tyre-supplier/ . dead .
  14. News: Bridgestone to quit F1 after 2010. English. Steven. 2 November 2009. Autosport. 2019-05-01.
  15. Web site: Pirelli tyres, adjustable rear wings among 2011 changes. Staff. 23 June 2010. Tata Communications. https://web.archive.org/web/20121021022947/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/6/10935.html. 21 October 2012. dead. 24 June 2010.
  16. Web site: Tyre Blog. tyreblog.co.uk. 6 December 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160321045612/http://www.tyreblog.co.uk/2010/pirelli-begin-tyre-testing-for-new-f1-season-549. 21 March 2016.
  17. News: GP2 series to use Pirelli's F1 tyres in 2011. GMM. 6 September 2010. Motorsport.com. 17 November 2018. en-AU.
  18. Web site: Règlements 2010: technique et sportif . 2010 . ZoneF1.com . fr . https://web.archive.org/web/20160419135305/http://www.zonef1.com/2010/reglements.php . 2016-04-19 . live . 2019-08-11.
  19. Web site: Pirelli extend their Formula 1 contract with the FIA until 2019. 2022-01-26. Sky Sports. en.
  20. http://www.pirellif1.co.uk/?p=460 "Pirelli tyres to have six different colours for 2011 Formula 1 season"
  21. http://www.racing-report.com/f1-in-the-paddock/pirelli-tweak-ahead-of-malaysia "Pirelli tweak ahead of Malaysia"
  22. Web site: New markings for Pirelli's tyres . Planet F1 . 2011-05-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110425172231/http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3213/6889405/New-markings-for-Pirelli-s-tyres . 25 April 2011 .
  23. Web site: How the 2016 Formula 1 tyre rules will work. Parkes. Ian. Autosport.com. 11 December 2015 . 3 June 2016.
  24. Web site: Tyres. Formula1.com. 10 March 2019.
  25. News: GP2 series to use Pirelli's F1 tyres in 2011 . Motorsport.com. 17 November 2018. en-AU.
  26. Web site: Pink hypersoft and orange superhard join Pirelli's 2018 tyre line-up. formula1.com. 23 November 2017.
  27. Web site: Pirelli reveal design tweak for 2019 testing compounds . 2022-01-26. formula1.com. en.
  28. http://www.crash.net/news_View~cid~1~id~113866~pid~1.htm "Michelin: Tyres not flawed, just unsuitable"
  29. http://www.crash.net/news_View~t~Bridgestone-take-pop-at-Michelin-over-USGP--05-~cid~1~id~132804.htm "Bridgestone take pop at Michelin over USGP '05"
  30. http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=33173 "Michelin looking to fly in new tyres"
  31. http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=189438&FS=F1 Stoddart comments on US Grand Prix"
  32. http://www.newsonf1.net/2005/news/06/jun19fia.htm Letters between representatives of Michelin and Charlie Whiting, the FIA Formula One Race Director
  33. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7659017.stm "F1 tyres to promote 'green' push"
  34. Web site: Pirelli expand 2023 tyre F1 range with sixth compound 'C0'. Racefans.net. 20 November 2022. 23 November 2022.
  35. Web site: F1 to trial tweaked qualifying format in 2023. Autosport.com. 2 May 2022. 18 August 2022. 18 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220818202710/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-to-trial-tweaked-qualifying-format-in-2023/10264787/. live.
  36. News: F1® tires . Pirelli . 6 March 2021.
  37. News: Pirelli to continue as Formula 1's exclusive tyre supplier until 2027 . Formula 1 Press Release . 12 February 2022.
  38. In depth tyre manufacturers history in F1 www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 17 August 2007
  39. Goodyear was sole tyre supplier in F1 in – and –.
  40. Web site: Pirelli. StatsF1. 23 June 2024.
  41. Pirelli has been the sole tyre supplier in F1 from the start of the season.
  42. Bridgestone provided tyres in a limited capacity at the 1976 and 1977 Japanese Grand Prix, then for the full season from 1997 through 2010.
  43. Bridgestone was sole tyre supplier in F1 in – and –.
  44. Dunlop was sole tyre supplier in F1 in –.
  45. Firestone was sole tyre supplier at the Indianapolis 500 races in 19501960.