In Formula 1, tyres are far more than rubber hoops—they’re strategic tools that can decide who wins and who fades. The term “tyre compound” refers to the chemical makeup of the rubber used in the tyre, directly affecting grip and durability.
F1’s sole tyre supplier, Pirelli, provides five slick (dry) compounds each season—ranging from C1 (hardest) to C5 (softest)—but only three are chosen for each race weekend. These are relabelled as hard (white), medium (yellow), and soft (red) for simplicity.
A Brief Look Back: Evolution of F1 Tyres
F1’s tyre landscape has changed significantly over the years. In the past, tyre wars between brands like Bridgestone, Michelin, and Goodyear shaped seasons. But since 2011, Pirelli has been the exclusive supplier. They were tasked with making tyres that degrade faster, on purpose. Why? To create more pit stops and force teams to make smarter strategy calls.
Hard tyres last the longest but offer the least grip. Softs are quicker but degrade faster. Mediums strike a balance. Teams must use at least two different dry compounds during a race unless it’s declared wet, which introduces intermediate or full wet tyres.
This move changed how races were run. Drivers had to manage tyre wear while staying fast, and teams had to anticipate how compounds would behave across fuel loads, track evolution, and temperature swings.
Why Compound Choice Matters
Choosing the right compound isn’t just about speed—it’s about balance. Each compound performs differently depending on track surface, temperature, and car setup. For instance, Bahrain’s abrasive tarmac and heat can tear through softs in just a few laps, while a track like Monaco, with slower speeds and less tyre wear, can make softs last much longer.
Drivers might opt to start on mediums for flexibility, or gamble on a soft tyre launch to gain early positions. Some races reward an undercut—pitting early to get fresh tyres and gain time. Others benefit from an overcut—staying out longer while rivals struggle on ageing rubber. Compound performance also shifts dramatically with track evolution. As more rubber gets laid down, grip improves, and teams adjust strategies accordingly.
Tyre Deg: The Invisible Battle
“Tyre deg,” short for degradation, is the invisible opponent every driver faces. Even if a car looks fast on paper, if its tyres degrade too quickly, it can lose pace rapidly. This is why you’ll often hear teams monitoring tyre life and asking drivers to “lift and coast” or “manage rears.” It’s not about saving fuel—it’s about keeping the tyres alive.
Tyre temperature also plays a role. Overheating the surface or the core can lead to blistering, where parts of the tread bubble and rip away. Running too cool can cause graining, where rubber balls up on the surface and kills grip.
The 2025 Rulebook and Strategy Limits
As of 2025, Formula One drivers are still required to use at least two different dry compounds in a race. Wet races allow freedom to switch between intermediates (green) and full wets (blue). Tyre allocations are fixed before the weekend, limiting how many sets teams can use across practice, qualifying, and the race. This makes tyre preservation across the weekend just as important as what happens on Sunday.
Additionally, sprint weekends have tweaked strategy norms. Teams get fewer practice laps to gather tyre data, making compound selection even more of a calculated risk.
Tyres Win Races, Not Just Cars
In a sport where thousandths of a second matter, tyres play a surprisingly starring role. The right compound at the right time can rescue a struggling race or wreck a winning one. Whether it’s a daring one-stop gamble, a late soft-tyre sprint, or just careful tyre babysitting over 50 laps, tyre strategy is where technical precision meets race-day instinct.
In Formula 1, speed is essential, but knowing when to push and when to preserve the rubber beneath you. That’s what champions master, and if you are into online sports betting, it is important to pay attention to who can win and lose a race-off tyre strategy.
