How do drivers manage tires during a race?

Drivers manage tires during a race through continuous steering of temperature, pressure, and wear via technique, communication with engineers, and coordinated pit-stop strategy. The balance between lap time and tyre life is central: pushing increases speed but accelerates degradation, while conservation preserves grip for later stints. Mario Isola at Pirelli has repeatedly described tyre management as a dynamic dialogue between driver inputs, car setup, and track conditions, emphasizing that tyre temperature range is the primary determinant of grip and longevity.

Tire selection and set-up
Before the race, teams choose compounds and initial setups that reflect circuit characteristics and weather. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile Sporting Regulations influence available choices and mandate strategic constraints that shape how teams plan stints. Engineers set camber, toe, and suspension settings to distribute load across the tread, and they select starting pressures to target an operating window. Drivers then adapt their driving style to hit those targets: modulating brake points and throttle application to control heat generation, and using corners to heat or cool specific tyres by varying lines and slip angles.

Managing temperature and degradation
During a stint, drivers use short-term techniques like "tyre saving" — easing on throttle, reducing mid-corner slip, and avoiding aggressive kerb use — to limit surface scrubbing that causes thermal degradation and graining. Conversely, when overtaking or defending, drivers intentionally raise tyre temperatures through harder braking and more aggressive exits to extract immediate grip. Telemetry and radio feedback allow teams to monitor carcass temperatures and wear rates in real time; engineers relay adjustments for brake bias, differential settings, and suggested driving habits. Mario Isola at Pirelli explains that modern telemetry provides precise temperature and pressure data, enabling decisions about whether to extend a stint or come in early.

Consequences of mismanagement
Failing to maintain tyres in their optimal window leads to loss of lap time, unpredictable handling, or dangerous failures such as blistering or punctures. Strategically, poor tyre management can force extra pit stops, costing time and track position. Conversely, effective tyre conservation can unlock late-race pace when rivals are on worn rubber, altering race outcomes and championship narratives. The human element is significant: drivers from different backgrounds bring distinct risk tolerances and styles, so cultural and personal factors influence how aggressively a team asks a driver to push tyres under pressure.

Environmental and territorial nuances
Circuit layout and regional climate affect tyre behaviour: high-speed tracks with abrasive surfaces demand harder compounds and more conservative management, while street circuits with low average speeds and surface variability require careful thermal buildup. Sustainability concerns are also influencing tyre development and race management. Pirelli and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile have highlighted initiatives to reduce environmental impact through material research and optimized logistics, which in turn affect compound choices and lifecycle considerations for tyres used across global racing calendars.