Formula 1 Technology: Tyres
Tyres are an extremely important part of Formula 1 racing; the right type of tyre can alter the whole dynamics of a race. There are many different types of tyres that are used during a race depending on weather conditions;
special ones for dry conditions and different ones for when it is wet. Due to the fact that an entire car is riding on just those four tyres, they have to be of very high quality. Over the last few years a lot of different manufacturers have supplied rubber
to Formula 1 and for the 2011 season there will be a new supplier. In the years to come there will be significant improvements to the technology and tyres will become safer and faster in the process.
There are significant differences between average car tyres and the ones used in Formula 1. For a normal car, the life of a tyre is around 80,000 km’s, but in Formula 1 they are designed to last only a single race and are
discarded after that. This is due to the difference in rubber used - the average car does not get driven as fast or as punishingly as a race car and the speed itself is enough to shred the rubber off the wheels. The tyres on Formula 1 cars have been an important
factor since the very first race took place. Over time, the technology has changed and so have the rules but, the basic function and importance of tyres has stayed the same.
There are two different types of tyres that are used during a race, hard and soft. All the teams have to use both types during each race but they can also use wet tyres and intermediaries if they are needed. The hard tyres
are more durable but they offer less grip, while the soft tyres are the opposite; they are less durable but have more grip. There is a complete tyre strategy that has to be worked out by the race engineers and using the right tyre at the right time can greatly
impact a race and may even lead to a podium finish.
Prior to 2005, tyre changes were allowed during a race, but a rule was instated banning a change during the 2005 season. But due to the United States Grand Prix controversy the rule was reversed the following year. During
a practice run for the race, Ralf Schumacher crashed his Toyota heavily on Turn 13. The cause turned out to be tyre failure but tyre suppliers Michelin did not know the reason why the tyres failed. A second set was flown in but they had the same problem with
the wall of the tyres collapsing under high speed cornering on that particular turn. Due to the danger involved Michelin asked the race director if they could change the track or force the cars to slow down. All their suggestions were rejected by race officials
and so no team that was using Michelin tyres took part in the race. Only three teams that were using Bridgestones competed and Ferrari won the heavily handicapped GP.
The interesting thing about the choice of tyre manufacturer for the races is that it seems to change every few years. Over time, Avon, Continental, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli and many others have been used.
Now once again Pirelli is going to be taking over the duties of supplying the rubber to all the teams for the 2011 racing season. One has to wonder why so many manufacturers keep changing every so often. It could be that there is a huge amount of competition
involved in becoming an official supplier to F1 and different companies bid for the spot or maybe the race organisers are not happy with the performance of a manufacturer and its tyres and so look for a new one. It could also be that F1 charges too much money
for the privilege of becoming the official tyre supplier and the price may be too steep for some companies. It is a great advertising venue for whichever company ends up becoming the official supplier in the end.
Tyre technology will keep changing in the next few years in a bid to make the sport faster and safer at the same time. We may see the dominance of Pirelli over the sport or we may see some new manufacturer take over to provide
the rubber for the races in the future. The quality of racing will however continue to remain at a very high level no matter who is providing the tyres.
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