If F1 cars were people, tyres would be their shoes - and you wouldn't wear flip-flops in a race, would you? Here's your crash course in the most important part of your car: the rubber that touches the road (or track, in this case).
Soft Tyres - Quick, but not for long
Colour: Red
The fastest compound on the grid - brilliant grip and pace over short stints. These are the tyres for qualifying laps and aggressive strategy. But don't get too comfortable - they wear out quickly.
Ideal for: short bursts of speed and early overtaking.
Medium Tyres - The dependable middle ground
Colour: Yellow
Solid performance with better longevity than softs. Not the most exciting, but often the most useful. Most races are built around these - they're flexible, consistent, and ideal for plan A, B or C.
Ideal for: race distance and tactical flexibility.
Hard Tyres - The marathon runners
Colour: White
Slower to warm up and slower overall - but they'll keep going and going. Perfect when track temperatures are high or when you want to go long between pit stops.
Ideal for: hot circuits, long stints, and staying out of trouble.
Super Soft Tyres - The qualifying specialist
Colour: Purple
Ultra-grippy and ultra-short-lived. These used to be the go-to for qualifying or very short race stints. Not used in recent seasons, but worth a mention.
Ideal for: a perfect lap - just don't ask for two.
Slicks - The dry-weather specialists
No tread, no nonsense
Technically, all soft/medium/hard tyres are slicks - smooth-surfaced for maximum contact and grip in dry conditions. No grooves, just speed.
Ideal for: dry tarmac and pushing the limits.
Intermediate Tyres - For the grey area
Colour: Green
Damp track? A bit of drizzle? These are your best bet. Not designed for heavy rain, but they'll cope with light water and help avoid aquaplaning.
Ideal for: changeable weather and damp-but-drying conditions.
Wet Tyres - When it's absolutely chucking it down
Colour: Blue
The most extreme compound - deep tread to disperse water and keep the car pointing the right way. Slower than dry tyres, but crucial when the track turns into a swimming pool.
Ideal for: torrential rain and staying out of the barriers.
Tyre Strategy In A Nutshell
Softer = faster, but shorter lifespan.
Harder = slower, but longer-lasting.
Weather calls the shots - timing is everything.
Teams must plan around tyre limits, pit stop windows, and track evolution.
So, which tyres will you choose?
In Formula 1, it's never just about speed - it's about timing, tactics and tyre calls that can change the race in a single lap. Whether it's chasing the fastest time or going the distance, tyres play a bigger role than most realise.
You won't need to worry about compounds during our F1 Driving Experiences - just strap in, grip the wheel, and unleash your inner driver. We'll handle the setup. You handle the thrill.
