Understanding F1 - The Tyres

For someone with barely any idea about sports and more so about Formula 1, one thing that struck me as remotely strange amongst other things,  was why the tyres used in the race were different from the ones used in our day to day vehicles and  why  Formula 1 drivers keep on changing their tyres during a race.  I had completely forgotten about it till the recent discussion among colleagues about the upcoming F1 races at Barcelona and Monte Carlo set me thinking once again. So, to set my curiosity to rest, I logged on the computer to find out the reason why and if you too like me are confused about it, here are the answers

Why the tyre changes in the race?

With the Formula One car considered as a technical masterpiece thanks to its aerodynamics, composite construction and engines, it is but obvious that its tyres too have to be different than the normal ones. In fact, tyres constitute an important part of the entire formula 1 race and are one the few key differentiators that go on to deciding the race winner.

During a race, each team is allowed to use two types of dry weather tyres (prime and option), both of which must be used by each driver at some point in the race unless the conditions are wet. Each of these tyres are then further graded in terms of durability into ‘super-soft' , 'soft' 'medium' and 'hard' and differentiated by the colouring of the sidewall lettering. Similarly during wet conditions - the green 'intermediate tyre' for damp conditions; and the blue 'extreme wet tyre' for heavy rain are used.

 Now, the decision to use which tyre and when then depends on the race circuit and the strategies employed by the team. Thus while the Circuit de Catalunya is favourable for  medium and hard tyres given its abrasive surface and series of long, demanding medium and high-speed corners that of Monte Carlo with its short, slow corners and lack of grip is best for soft and super-soft tyres. Similarly fast circuits like Spa, Silverstone and Suzuka are suitable for harder ones. And the decision as to when to change a tyre (pit stop) is generally decided by the team management depending on the wearing down of the rubber or by thermal degradation of the tyre.

During the race including the practice races and qualifying each driver is allowed 11 sets of dry-weather tyres (six of the harder ‘prime’ and five of the softer ‘option’ specification), four sets of intermediate tyres and three sets of wet tyres. At the start of the race the cars needs to be fitted with the tyres the driver used to set his grid time during the qualifying. All of these tyres come with a bar code so that their use can be monitored by the FIA.

Book a holiday Rental

This generally sums up the reason behind the tyre changing scenario during the F1 race, though there are a few other technicalities as to the type of rubber used, dimensions etc which should be deal later until then you can catch all the live action by booking a holiday apartment or a service apartment near the race circuits.

The Six F1 tyre compounds, as supplied by Pirelli for the 2013 season (source Wikipedia)

Compound name	Colour		Tread	Driving conditions	Dry Type*
Hard	Orange**		Slick	Dry	Prime
Medium	White		Slick	Dry	Prime/Option
Soft	Yellow		Slick	Dry	Prime/Option
Super-soft	Red		Slick	Dry	Option
Intermediate	Green		Treaded	Wet (no standing water)	x
Full wet	Blue		Treaded	Wet (standing water)	x