How do F1 teams manage tyre degradation during races?

Tyre degradation in Formula 1 is a complex interplay of materials science, car setup, driving behaviour and track characteristics. Teams treat tyres as a consumable performance resource, balancing short-term grip against long-term durability. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile requires drivers to use at least two different dry compounds during a race, which forces strategic choices about when to accept degradation and when to pit. Mario Isola of Pirelli emphasises that every compound has a specific operating temperature window and structural design that determine its propensity to wear or overheat.

How tyres degrade

Degradation mechanisms include thermal degradation when rubber overheats, abrasive wear from track surface roughness, graining caused by rapid temperature changes and sliding, and blistering when internal temperatures create local failure. Surface temperature and vertical load are primary drivers: higher speeds, heavy braking and aggressive cornering increase contact patch temperatures and shear forces. Circuit location and climate matter. Tracks with abrasive asphalt or hot ambient temperatures such as those in the Middle East typically produce faster wear, whereas low-speed street circuits can present different rubber transfer and puncture risks. Mario Isola and Pirelli technical notes describe these drivers and the idea of a tyre heat window that must be kept within limits to avoid steep performance loss.

Managing degradation during the race

Teams combine pre-race preparation and in-race adjustments. Preparation begins with compound selection and suspension setup to influence camber, toe and load distribution, which affect how evenly a tyre wears. During a race, engineers monitor telemetry from tyre sensors, brake and wheel-speed data, and infrared readings to estimate surface temperatures and degradation rates. Strategy departments simulate pit stop timing to trade lap-time loss from degraded rubber against out-laps and undercut opportunities. Safety car periods, track evolution and traffic are factored in because cooling laps or prolonged marshalling can cause tyres to drop below their optimal temperature, increasing graining risk.

Pit stops and driving technique are the main levers available during a stint. Changing to a fresher compound resets degradation, while drivers can alter lines, braking points and steering inputs to reduce sliding and lower surface temperatures. Tyre blankets and controlled pressures are used pre- and post-pit stop to keep tyres within thermal windows. Teams must follow FIA limits on warming equipment in the pit lane and comply with regulations governing tyre use.

Consequences and context

Poor tyre management costs time, increases the number of pit stops and raises safety risks from punctures or loss of control. Strategic misjudgements have decided races and championships by forcing unexpected stops or defensive driving that compromises lap times. The cultural and territorial context is also relevant: teams from different regions bring specific engineering philosophies shaped by their facilities and testing environments, and circuits in diverse climates require tailored logistical planning for tyre allocation and setup. The interaction of human decision-making, regulatory constraints and material limits makes tyre degradation one of the most visible and decisive elements of Formula 1 racecraft.