Difference between revisions of "Formula One tires"

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Drivers (Wins) Constructors (Wins) Tires · Races

A set of slick Formula One tires as will be introduced for the 2009 season.

Formula One tires play a significant role in the performance of a Formula One car. The tires have undergone significant changes throughout the history of Formula One, with different manufacturers and specifications used in the sport.

Formula One tires bear only a superficial resemblance to a normal road tire. Whereas the latter has a useful life of up to 80,000 km, the tires used in Formula One are built to last less than one race distance. This is determined by the compound of the rubber used. In 2005, tire changes were disallowed in Formula One, the compound was harder as the tires has to last the full race distance (around 300 km). Tire changes were re-instated in 2006, following the dramatic and highly political 2005 United States Grand Prix (see below).

By regulation, the tires feature a minimum of four grooves in them, with the intention of slowing the cars down (a slick tire, with no indentations, is best in dry conditions). They can be no wider than 355 mm and 380 mm at the front and rear respectively and maximum diameter is 660 mm (670 mm for wet tire). Slick tires are to be reintroduced as of 2009.

For the 2007 season Bridgestone became the sole tire supplier in Formula One with the withdrawal of Michelin, and introduced four compounds of tire, two of which are made available at each race. The harder tire is more durable but gives less grip, and the softer tire gives more grip but is less durable. Both compounds have to be used by each car during a race and the softer tire has 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 tire, instead of the white stripe. Each team must use each specification during the race, unless wet or intermediate tires are used during the race, in which case this rule no longer applies.

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.

2005 United States Grand Prix controversy

Main article 2005 United States Grand Prix

The 2005 United States Grand Prix was plagued by Tire issues. This caused the race to be run with only six competitors

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

The following day, Michelin reported that the tires 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 tires from its Clermont-Ferrand headquarters. However, the replacement tires 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.

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 tire failure, and unless the cars could be slowed down in Turn 13, Michelin's tires would be unsafe and unsuitable for use during the race. Whiting replied, expressing his surprise that Michelin had not brought along a second set of tires, suggesting 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 tires 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 tires. The race then took place with only the Bridgestone teams taking part.

Make Cars Green campaign

Bridgestone used tires with green grooves for the 2008 Japanese Grand Prix. Rubens Barrichello (top) demonstrates the "prime" compound, whilst Nick Heidfeld (bottom) is running on the "option" compound, distinguished by the fact that one of the grooves is white.

At the 2008 Japanese Grand Prix the tires 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 tire still had the innermost groove painted white, as per normal.

Manufacturers

Since the start of the 2007 Formula One season Bridgestone have been the sole manufacturer. Past manufacturers include:

Records

Ordered by number of races won. Current tire manufacturers are shown in bold.

Pos	Manufacturer	Seasons	Starts	Wins	Sole supplier	First win	Last win	World Championships
Pos	Manufacturer	Seasons	Starts	Wins	Sole supplier	First win	Last win	Drivers	Constr.
1	Goodyear	1959 – 1998	494	368	113 Goodyear was sole tire supplier in F1 from 1987-1988 and 1992-1996.	1965 Mexican Grand Prix	1998 Italian Grand Prix	24	26
2	Bridgestone	1976 – 1977 1997 – 2008 Bridgestone provided tires in a limited capacity at the 1976 and 1977 Japanese Grand Prix, then for the full season from 1997 onwards	208	139	80 Bridgestone was sole tire supplier in F1 from 1999-2000 and in 2007-2008	1998 Australian Grand Prix	2008 Brazilian Grand Prix	9	9
3	Michelin	1977 – 1984 2001 – 2006	215	102	0	1978 Brazilian Grand Prix	2006 Japanese Grand Prix	6	4
4	Dunlop	1950 – 1970 1976 – 1977	175	83	0	1958 Monaco Grand Prix	1970 Belgian Grand Prix	8	9
5	Firestone	1950 – 1975	121	49	11 Firestone was sole tire supplier at the Indianapolis 500 races from 1950-1960.	1950 Indianapolis 500	1972 Italian Grand Prix	4	3
6	Pirelli	1950 – 1958 1981 – 1986 1989 – 1991	200	44	0	1950 British Grand Prix	1991 Canadian Grand Prix	6	0
7	Continental	1954 – 1958	13	10	0	1954 French Grand Prix	1958 Argentine Grand Prix	2	0
8	Englebert	1950 – 1958	61	8	0	1955 Monaco Grand Prix	1958 British Grand Prix	2	0
9	Avon	1954 – 1958 1981 – 1982	29	0	0	N/A	N/A	0	0

External links

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Formula One}}
 {{X}}
-{{Formula One}}
+[[image:F1 Slick Tires.jpg|thumb|right|A set of slick [[Formula One]] tires as will be introduced for the {{F1|2009}} season.]]
-[[image:F1 Slick Tires.jpg|thumb|right|A set of slick [[Formula One]] tyres as will be introduced for the {{F1|2009}} season.]]
-'''Formula One tyres''' play a significant role in the performance of a [[Formula One car]]. The [[tire|tyres]] have undergone significant changes throughout the [[history of Formula One]], with different manufacturers and specifications used in the sport.
+'''Formula One tires''' play a significant role in the performance of a [[Formula One car]]. The [[tire|tires]] have undergone significant changes throughout the [[history of Formula One]], with different manufacturers and specifications used in the sport.
-[[Formula One]] tyres bear only a superficial resemblance to a normal road tyre.  Whereas the latter has a useful life of up to 80,000&nbsp;km, the tyres used in Formula One are built to last less than one race distance.  This is determined by the compound of the rubber used.  In [[2005 Formula 1 Season|2005]], tyre changes were disallowed in Formula One, the compound was harder as the tyres has to last the full race distance (around 300&nbsp;km). Tyre changes were re-instated in 2006, following the dramatic and highly political [[2005 United States Grand Prix]] (see below).
+[[Formula One]] tires bear only a superficial resemblance to a normal road tire.  Whereas the latter has a useful life of up to 80,000&nbsp;km, the tires used in Formula One are built to last less than one race distance.  This is determined by the compound of the rubber used.  In [[2005 Formula 1 Season|2005]], tire changes were disallowed in Formula One, the compound was harder as the tires has to last the full race distance (around 300&nbsp;km). Tire changes were re-instated in 2006, following the dramatic and highly political [[2005 United States Grand Prix]] (see below).
-By regulation, the tyres feature a minimum of four grooves in them, with the intention of slowing the cars down (a [[slick tire|slick tyre]], with no indentations, is best in dry conditions). They can be no wider than 355 mm and 380 mm at the front and rear respectively and maximum diameter is 660 mm (670 mm for wet tyre). Slick tyres are to be reintroduced as of 2009.
+By regulation, the tires feature a minimum of four grooves in them, with the intention of slowing the cars down (a [[slick tire|slick tire]], with no indentations, is best in dry conditions). They can be no wider than 355 mm and 380 mm at the front and rear respectively and maximum diameter is 660 mm (670 mm for wet tire). Slick tires are to be reintroduced as of 2009.
-For the 2007 season [[Bridgestone]] became the sole tyre supplier in Formula One with the withdrawal of [[Michelin]], and introduced four compounds of tyre, two of which are made available at each race. The harder tyre is more durable but gives less grip, and the softer tyre gives more grip but is less durable. Both compounds have to be used by each car during a race and the softer tyre has 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. 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.
+For the 2007 season [[Bridgestone]] became the sole tire supplier in Formula One with the withdrawal of [[Michelin]], and introduced four compounds of tire, two of which are made available at each race. The harder tire is more durable but gives less grip, and the softer tire gives more grip but is less durable. Both compounds have to be used by each car during a race and the softer tire has 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 tire, instead of the white stripe. Each team must use each specification during the race, unless wet or intermediate tires are used during the race, in which case this rule no longer applies.
 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|Safety Car]] in deep standing water due to the risk of [[aquaplaning]].
@@ Line 16: / Line 18: @@
 ''Main article'' [[2005 United States Grand Prix]]
-[[Image:Tyre carts on grid at USGP 2005.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The 2005 United States Grand Prix was plagued by [[Tire|Tyre]] issues. This caused the race to be run with only six competitors]]
+[[Image:Tyre carts on grid at USGP 2005.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The 2005 United States Grand Prix was plagued by [[Tire|Tire]] issues. This caused the race to be run with only six competitors]]
-On Friday, [[17 June]] [[2005]], during the afternoon's practice session, [[Ralf Schumacher]] driving for [[Toyota F1|Toyota]], crashed heavily in Turn 13 of the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] road course, apparently as a result of a [[Directional stability|left-rear tyre failure]].  Turn 13 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway#Formula One|road course]] is a high speed banked turn, unique to Formula One racing, that causes a greater than usual [[Circle of forces|lateral (horizontal) load]]. This pressure can cause the side walls of the tyre to bow and wear in abnormal places.
+On Friday, [[17 June]] [[2005]], during the afternoon's practice session, [[Ralf Schumacher]] driving for [[Toyota F1|Toyota]], crashed heavily in Turn 13 of the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] road course, apparently as a result of a [[Directional stability|left-rear tire failure]].  Turn 13 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway#Formula One|road course]] is a high speed banked turn, unique to Formula One racing, that causes a greater than usual [[Circle of forces|lateral (horizontal) load]]. This pressure can cause the side walls of the tire to bow and wear in abnormal places.
-The following day, Michelin reported that the tyres it had provided for its seven customer teams &mdash; [[British American Racing|BAR]], [[McLaren]], [[Red Bull Racing|Red Bull]], [[Renault F1|Renault]], [[Toyota F1|Toyota]], [[Sauber]], and [[WilliamsF1|Williams]] &mdash; 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. However, the replacement tyres flown in, which were of the type used in the [[2005 Spanish Grand Prix|Spanish Grand Prix]] earlier that year, turned out to have the same problem when tested.
+The following day, Michelin reported that the tires it had provided for its seven customer teams &mdash; [[British American Racing|BAR]], [[McLaren]], [[Red Bull Racing|Red Bull]], [[Renault F1|Renault]], [[Toyota F1|Toyota]], [[Sauber]], and [[WilliamsF1|Williams]] &mdash; were unsafe for extended high-speed use on this turn, and announced its intention to fly in another set of tires from its [[Clermont-Ferrand]] headquarters. However, the replacement tires flown in, which were of the type used in the [[2005 Spanish Grand Prix|Spanish Grand Prix]] earlier that year, turned out to have the same problem when tested.
-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. Whiting replied, expressing his surprise that Michelin had not brought along a second set of tyres, suggesting 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" &mdash; 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.<ref name="letters" />  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 Bridgestone teams taking part.
+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 tire failure, and unless the cars could be slowed down in Turn 13, Michelin's tires would be unsafe and unsuitable for use during the race. Whiting replied, expressing his surprise that Michelin had not brought along a second set of tires, suggesting 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 tires flown in overnight would result in penalties, and the placement of a [[chicane]] in the turn was "out of the question" &mdash; 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 tires.  The race then took place with only the Bridgestone teams taking part.
 ==Make Cars Green campaign==
-{{main|Make Cars Green}}
+[[Image:Bridgestone Make Cars Green tyres 2008 Japan.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bridgestone]] used tires with green grooves for the [[2008 Japanese Grand Prix]]. [[Rubens Barrichello]] (top) demonstrates the "prime" compound, whilst [[Nick Heidfeld]] (bottom) is running on the "option" compound, distinguished by the fact that one of the grooves is white.]]
-[[Image:Bridgestone Make Cars Green tyres 2008 Japan.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bridgestone]] used tyres with green grooves for the [[2008 Japanese Grand Prix]]. [[Rubens Barrichello]] (top) demonstrates the "prime" compound, whilst [[Nick Heidfeld]] (bottom) is running on the "option" compound, distinguished by the fact that one of the grooves is white.]]
+At the [[2008 Japanese Grand Prix]] the tires 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 tire still had the innermost groove painted white, as per normal.
-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 innermost groove painted white, as per normal. <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7659017.stm F1 tyres to promote 'green' push] Retrieved 8 October 2008</ref>
 ==Manufacturers==
@@ Line 35: / Line 37: @@
 * [[Avon Rubber|Avon]]
 * [[Continental AG|Continental]]
-* [[Dunlop Tyres|Dunlop]]
+* [[Dunlop Tires|Dunlop]]
-* [[Englebert (tyre manufacturer)|Englebert]]
+* [[Englebert (tire manufacturer)|Englebert]]
 * [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]]
 * [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]]
@@ Line 43: / Line 45: @@
 ===Records===
-Ordered by number of races won. Current tyre manufacturers are shown in '''bold'''.
+Ordered by number of races won. Current tire manufacturers are shown in '''bold'''.
-{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%; text-align:center;"
+{| border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=4 style="float:center; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:800px; background:#505050; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
-|-
+|- style="text-align:center; background:#505050;"
+|- tr BGCOLOR=darkred
 !rowspan=2|Pos
 !rowspan=2|Manufacturer
-!rowspan=2|Seasons <ref>In depth tyre manufacturers history in F1 [http://www.statsf1.com/default.asp?From=/tyres/fiche.asp?IdPneu=7%26LG=1 www.statsf1.com]  Retrieved 17 August 2007</ref>
+!rowspan=2|Seasons
 !rowspan=2|Starts
 !rowspan=2|Wins
@@ Line 61: / Line 64: @@
 |-
 !1
-|align="left"|{{flagicon|US}} [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]]
+|align="left"|{{flagiconUS}} [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]]
 |[[1959 Formula One season|1959]] &ndash; [[1998 Formula One season|1998]]
 |494
 |368
-|113<ref>Goodyear was sole tyre supplier in F1 from {{F1|1987}}-{{F1|1988}} and {{F1|1992}}-{{F1|1996}}.</ref>
+|113 <small>Goodyear was sole tire supplier in F1 from {{F1|1987}}-{{F1|1988}} and {{F1|1992}}-{{F1|1996}}.</small>
 |align="left"|[[1965 Mexican Grand Prix]]
 |align="left"|[[1998 Italian Grand Prix]]
@@ Line 72: / Line 75: @@
 |-
 !2
-|align="left"|{{flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Bridgestone]]'''
+|align="left"|{{flagiconJapan}} '''[[Bridgestone]]'''
-|[[1976 Japanese Grand Prix|1976]] &ndash; [[1977 Japanese Grand Prix|1977]]<br />[[1997 Formula One Season|1997]] &ndash; [[2008 Formula One season|2008]]<ref>Bridgestone provided tyres in a limited capacity at the [[1976 Japanese Grand Prix|1976]] and [[1977 Japanese Grand Prix]], then for the full season from 1997 onwards</ref>
+|[[1976 Japanese Grand Prix|1976]] &ndash; [[1977 Japanese Grand Prix|1977]]<br />[[1997 Formula One Season|1997]] &ndash; [[2008 Formula One season|2008]] <small>Bridgestone provided tires in a limited capacity at the [[1976 Japanese Grand Prix|1976]] and [[1977 Japanese Grand Prix]], then for the full season from 1997 onwards</small>
 |208
 |139
-|80<ref>Bridgestone was sole tyre supplier in F1 from {{F1|1999}}-{{F1|2000}} and in {{F1|2007}}-{{F1|2008}}</ref>
+|80 <small>Bridgestone was sole tire supplier in F1 from {{F1|1999}}-{{F1|2000}} and in {{F1|2007}}-{{F1|2008}}</small>
 |align="left"|[[1998 Australian Grand Prix]]
 |align="left"|[[2008 Brazilian Grand Prix]]
@@ Line 83: / Line 86: @@
 |-
 !3
-|align="left"|{{flagicon|France}} [[Michelin]]
+|align="left"|{{flagiconFrance}} [[Michelin]]
 |[[1977 Formula One season|1977]] &ndash; [[1984 Formula One season|1984]]<br>[[2001 Formula One season|2001]] &ndash; [[2006 Formula One season|2006]]
 |215
@@ Line 94: / Line 97: @@
 |-
 !4
-|align="left"|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Dunlop Rubber|Dunlop]]
+|align="left"|{{flagiconUK}} [[Dunlop Rubber|Dunlop]]
 |[[1950 Formula One season|1950]] &ndash; [[1970 Formula One season|1970]]<br>[[1976 Formula One season|1976]] &ndash; [[1977 Formula One season|1977]]
 |175
@@ Line 105: / Line 108: @@
 |-
 !5
-|align="left"|{{flagicon|US}} [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]]
+|align="left"|{{flagiconUS}} [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]]
 |[[1950 Formula One season|1950]] &ndash; [[1975 Formula One season|1975]]
 |121
 |49
-|11<ref>Firestone was sole tyre supplier at the [[Indianapolis 500]] races from [[1950 Indianapolis 500|1950]]-[[1960 Indianapolis 500|1960]].</ref>
+|11 <small>Firestone was sole tire supplier at the [[Indianapolis 500]] races from [[1950 Indianapolis 500|1950]]-[[1960 Indianapolis 500|1960]].</small>
 |align="left"|[[1950 Indianapolis 500]]
 |align="left"|[[1972 Italian Grand Prix]]
@@ Line 116: / Line 119: @@
 |-
 !6
-|align="left"|{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Pirelli]]
+|align="left"|{{flagiconItaly}} [[Pirelli]]
 |[[1950 Formula One season|1950]] &ndash; [[1958 Formula One season|1958]] <br> [[1981 Formula One season|1981]] &ndash; [[1986 Formula One season|1986]]<br>[[1989 Formula One season|1989]] &ndash; [[1991 Formula One season|1991]]
 |200
@@ Line 127: / Line 130: @@
 |-
 !7
-|align="left"|{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Continental AG|Continental]]
+|align="left"|{{flagiconGermany}} [[Continental AG|Continental]]
 |[[1954 Formula One season|1954]] &ndash; [[1958 Formula One season|1958]]
 |13
@@ Line 138: / Line 141: @@
 |-
 !8
-|align="left"|{{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Englebert (tyre manufacturer)|Englebert]]
+|align="left"|{{flagiconBelgium}} [[Englebert (tire manufacturer)|Englebert]]
 |[[1950 Formula One season|1950]] &ndash; [[1958 Formula One season|1958]]
 |61
@@ Line 149: / Line 152: @@
 |-
 !9
-|align="left"|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Avon Rubber|Avon]]
+|align="left"|{{flagiconUK}} [[Avon Rubber|Avon]]
 |[[1954 Formula One season|1954]] &ndash; [[1958 Formula One season|1958]]<br>[[1981 Formula One season|1981]] &ndash;  [[1982 Formula One season|1982]]
 |29
@@ Line 159: / Line 162: @@
 |0
 |}