Why Do F1 Cars Use Bald Tires?
Formula 1, or F1, cars use bald tires when racing because it allows for more traction on the track, allowing the cars to have increased acceleration and handling. This permits F1 drivers to push their cars to the limit. Bald tires have more traction because they do not have any tread on them.
Tread is the grooves that tire manufacturers etch into tires in order to handle the different elements such as rain, sleet, and snow. So, with more traction, a higher percentage of the tire is able to come in contact with the track. This is how acceleration is increased and how the car is able to corner turns more efficiently on the track, thereby increasing handling.
Different Types of Bald F1 Tires
There are five different types of bald tires that Formula 1 racing uses, all manufactured by Pirelli:
- Compound 1
- Compound 2
- Compound 3
- Compound 4
- Compound 5
The different classifications represent the type of compound the tire is made of, with C1 being the hardest and C5 being the softest. There is a variance between the hardness of compounds in order to optimize performance on the different types of tracks. Tracks can vary from being compact and windy to having long straightaways. So, in order to have the best performance, it is necessary to use different tires that will grip the track differently.
C1-C5 Tire Compounds
C1 Tires: The tire with the hardest compound, designed to be the most durable while optimizing performance. Especially on circuit tracks that can have a lot of wear on the tires.
C2 Tires: This tire, being made up of the second hardest compound, was designed to be more capable than C1. It is designed to withstand the quicker, scalding, and more abrasive circuit tracks.
C3 Tires: The C3 tire is optimized to be an all-for-one tire, having the widest range of capabilities. It is introduced as the equilibrium between performance and flexibility.
C4 Tires: C4, being among the softest of the tires, is used on compact, windy circuit tracks.
C5 Tires: C5 is the softest tire used in F1. It is used for the slowest circuits where maximum grip is desired and wear on the tire will be low.
Why Do Tire Compounds Matter?
The different compounds matter because when competing in Formula 1, every second counts. Each of the five different compounds has varying levels of durability. When a tire is reaching the end of its life, the driver must take a pit stop to have the tires replaced, which takes time. The number of pit stops taken is critical in determining how fast a racer finishes the race. So, it is imperative that F1 teams make the right decision in choosing which compound tire to use on each of the diverse F1 tracks around the globe.