What are the different F1 tyres?

In modern Formula One, tyres are supplied exclusively by Pirelli. Each race weekend features multiple tyre types designed for different grip levels and weather conditions.

Broadly, F1 tyres fall into two categories:

• Dry-weather slicks

• Wet-weather treaded tyres

1. Dry Tyres (Slicks)

Slick tyres have no tread pattern. This maximizes the rubber in contact with the track, giving the highest possible grip in dry conditions.

The Compound Range (C0–C5)

Pirelli actually manufactures six dry compounds:

• C0 (hardest)

• C1

• C2

• C3

• C4

• C5 (softest)

But teams don’t get all six every weekend.

🏁 The Three Race Compounds

For each Grand Prix, Pirelli selects three adjacent compounds from the C0–C5 range and labels them:

• Hard (white sidewall)

• Medium (yellow)

• Soft (red)

Example weekend:

• C2 → Hard

• C3 → Medium

• C4 → Soft

At another track, the selection might shift softer or harder depending on circuit demands.

🔴 Soft Tyre

Purpose: Maximum grip and fastest lap time.

Characteristics:

• Fast warm-up

• Highest peak grip

• Highest degradation

• Shortest stint length

Teams typically use softs for:

• Qualifying runs

• Late-race attacks

• Short aggressive stints

But they often overheat quickly on high-energy tracks.

🟡 Medium Tyre

Purpose: Balance between pace and durability.

Characteristics:

• Moderate warm-up

• Good race pace consistency

• Medium degradation

• Versatile strategy tyre

This is often the default race tyre because it offers flexibility.

⚪ Hard Tyre

Purpose: Maximum durability and thermal resistance.

Characteristics:

• Slow warm-up

• Lower peak grip

• Longest lifespan

• Most resistant to overheating

Teams use hards when:

• Track temperatures are high

• Degradation is severe

• Long stints are needed

However, if the tyre never reaches its temperature window, it can be slower than expected.

2. Wet-Weather Tyres

Unlike slicks, wet tyres have deep grooves to move water away from the contact patch and prevent aquaplaning.

There are two types:

🟢 Intermediate Tyre

Purpose: Damp or lightly wet conditions.

Visual: Green sidewall

Water displacement: ~30 liters/second at racing speed

Used when:

• Track is damp but not flooded

• Light rain

• Drying conditions

The intermediate is the most commonly used wet tyre because full wet conditions are relatively rare.

🔵 Full Wet Tyre

Purpose: Heavy rain and standing water.

Visual: Blue sidewall

Water displacement: ~85 liters/second at racing speed

Characteristics:

• Deep tread grooves

• Massive aquaplaning resistance

• Very high drag

• Overheats quickly on drying tracks

These are only used in very wet races, and sometimes not at all during a season.

3. Mandatory Race Rules

F1 tyre rules create strategic complexity.

🧾 Dry Race Requirement

In a dry race, drivers must use at least two different slick compounds.

This forces:

• At least one pit stop

• Strategic variation

• Tyre management battles

Exception: if the race is declared wet, this rule is suspended.

📦 Tyre Allocation

Each driver gets a limited number of sets per weekend, including:

• Soft sets

• Medium sets

• Hard sets

• Intermediates

• Full wets

Managing this allocation across practice, qualifying, and race is a major strategic exercise.

4. How Teams Choose Tyres During a Race

Engineers consider:

• Track temperature

• Surface roughness

• Corner energy

• Expected degradation

• Safety car probability

• Traffic position

• Weather forecasts

Sometimes the theoretically fastest tyre is not the best race tyre.