Choosing the right tire is THE challenge for the F1 teams – because the tire often decides between victory and defeat. In 2024, there will be seven different tire compounds that can be used. Reason enough to take a closer look at the tires in Formula 1.
In Formula 1, the wheels are exposed to extreme conditions. High temperatures, high speeds and – depending on the track – completely different external conditions: Asphalt condition, weather, temperature, wetness/humidity and more. Therefore, different tire compounds are needed to meet the different requirements and conditions that can occur during a race weekend. These differences significantly influence the handling, speed and strategy of a race car. This is why choosing the “right” Fromel 1 tire is so important.
A total of 7 different tire compounds have been developed for the F1 cars – all with different properties and for different purposes. The tires are divided into two main categories: Slicks (for dry conditions) and rain tires (for wet conditions). You can tell which tire the driver is using by the different colors. Pirelli and the race organizers determine at the start of each race weekend which of the three dry tire compounds the teams may choose from. This means that not all tire types and compounds are used in every race.
The dry tires generally have no profile, but are smooth all around on the surface, which is why they are also called slicks. Slick tires are further divided into three categories: Hard, Medium and Soft. There are a total of five tire mixtures (also known as compounds) for dry conditions.
C1 (Hard): The hardest compound for maximum durability and reduced grip and wear. This tire was specially developed for heavy loads and is therefore typically used for tracks with fast corners, rough surfaces or very high ambient temperatures. As the material is particularly resistant, it must first be brought to the right temperature before the tire can develop its optimum potential. It offers the least grip (i.e. grip on the track) but does not wear out as quickly. The C1 tire can be recognized by the white inscription without lines.
C2 (Hard): This tire offers a balanced mix of durability and grip. As it still belongs to the “hard” category, it is also used for circuits on which the tire is subjected to heavy loads. The C2 can be recognized by the white lettering and lines.
C3 (Medium): With this tire compound, the focus is more on performance. It is still quite durable, but not as much as a hard compound. For the tracks mentioned above – i.e. circuits that are very demanding for the tire – this compound is the softest that can be used. On a race track that is not so demanding on the tire, such as a street circuit, the C3 is the hardest compound. This compound is one of the most commonly used in Formula 1 and lies exactly between hard and soft in terms of grip and durability.
C4 (Soft): The C4 requires little time to warm up and is quickly ready for use. It is ideal for narrow and very winding roads as it offers very good grip. However, due to the strong grip on the ground, the rubber also degrades quickly, so the service life of this tire is rather limited. You can recognize this compound by the red lettering and stripes. This compound is also often used for qualifying.
C5 (Supersoft): This is the fastest tire compound available in Formula 1. It offers maximum grip and can therefore be driven the fastest. However, this tire also breaks down the fastest. Depending on the track, it lasts between 5 and 20 laps. You can recognize the C5 by the red lettering without any other decorations.
As the name suggests, these tires are used in damp or wet conditions. In contrast to dry tires, they have a tread pattern to displace wetness as effectively as possible. A bit like normal car tires. There are two types of rain tires:
For damp to slightly wet conditions (without standing water) or drying tracks. Depending on speed, the green intermediate displaces up to 30 liters of water per second. It can be ridden for a long time before you have to opt for a full-wet tire in heavy rain or a slick tire when it gets dry.
The Full Wet is used in very wet conditions with a lot of standing water. The tires offer very good grip in heavy rain and are designed to increase resistance to aquaplaning thanks to a special tread pattern and a 10 mm wider diameter. The tires can therefore only be used in very wet conditions. You can recognize the Full Wet by the blue lettering.
Only a certain number of sets of tires are available to a Formula 1 driver per race weekend. A driver is allowed to take 13 sets of dry tires. These are made up of the different compounds (hard, medium, soft) selected by Pirelli for the respective race. The team decides exactly how many of each type are taken. In addition, there are 4 sets of intermediate tires and 3 sets of full wets.
Pirelli has been the exclusive tire supplier for Formula 1 since 2011. The Italian company manufactures all the tire compounds used in the premier class of motorsport. They work closely with the teams and the FIA to ensure that the tires meet the high demands of Formula 1. The development process includes simulations, laboratory and track tests. Every year, the tire compounds are adapted and further developed to maximize performance and safety. The fact that there is now only one tire supplier, Pirelli, is intended to increase equality of opportunity (especially for the smaller teams).
