[Tech Issue] Should Formula 1 introduce all-weather tyres?

[Pingguest]

Last week I read this article on Autosport.com. In this article Tony Fernandes had this to say:
"I also try to encourage people that F1 should become closer to the car industry. It is important that we are a good provider of knowledge to the road car industry.

"That is why I am a supporter of 18 inch rims because it makes the tyres more relevant to the car industry. I am a supporter of KERS, although I think we have to do it in the right form and not spend 10 million bucks on something that is not going to be commercially used."

I do think Formula 1 should become more road relevant. In my opinion, not the amount of money spend by the teams is a big issue, but where the money is spend on. To justify its existence, Formula 1 should contribute to the development of road car technologies. An example is the development of clean, fuel-efficient and hence eco-friendly engines.

Regarding the tyres Formula 1 could make a contribution to the development of road car technologies too. This could be done by introducing non-standardized, durable all-weather tyres. The FIA could demand that the tyres are to be designed for both dry and wet track conditions and have a specified minimum of the tyre surface to be grooved with a specified minimum depth both before and after use. To make the tyres durable and easily enforce the rules, tyre changes should be outlawed. The regulations should make tyre manufactures to develop tyres which are essentially road legal.

There are a number of arguments for and against introducing all-weather tyres. The arguments in favour are:
- the tyres would become more road relevant;
- cost efficiency, because tyre manufactures can develop tyres covering all weather conditions;
- safety, because cornering speeds are lowered;
- pit stops will be no longer necessary.

The arguments against:
- As the mechanical grip is reduced massively, cars would rely even more on downforce and overtaking would become too difficult. This could be fixed by reducing the amount of downforce too. In fact, Formula 1's aerodynamics have no road relevance and hence it could questioned whether the amount of downforce should be reduced to the absolute minimum, just enough to keep the cars from coming off the ground.
- Formula 1 could become very slow. Whether a car is fast or not, is a perception. Compared to today's Formula 1 cars sports cars like the Ferrari 430, Audi R8 and Bugatti Veyron are quite slow, but those cars are incredibly fast compared to my road car. Besides, a lowering of the cornering speeds would allow Formula 1 to go to faster tracks.

Whether all-weather tyres should be introduced or not, is a political decision. But with Formula 1 seeking for a justification for its existence, it should at least be taken in consideration.

[Matt]

All-weather tires = crap in everything.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Matt

All-weather tires = crap in everything.

Well I believe it's the way that Michelin want to go!

[duke_toaster]

Originally Posted by Marbot

Well I believe it's the way that Michelin want to go!

Really? If they actually want that for 2011, time to say hello to Pirelli.

I don't think it is reasonable to expect a Formula One tyre to do 90% of a dry race on treaded tyres, and then be safe in a heavy deluge. For safety reasons, amongst many others, I think that all weather tyres are a complete non-starter.

Originally Posted by Pingguest

To justify its existence, Formula 1 should contribute to the development of road car technologies. An example is the development of clean, fuel-efficient and hence eco-friendly engines.

The only people F1 needs to justify its existence to is the teams. While road relevant development is reasonable, motor racing is a sport first, and technology development comes second.

[broadrun96]

With the forces the cars can exert on the tires, all weather tires would be ripped to shreds within a few laps, never mind a full race distance. Just look at how quick everyone drives through the puddles when they have the full wets on in drying conditions. Even the inters lose their grooves within a few dry laps so developing an all weather tire would either leave the teams changing every 10 laps or less or we'd watch the drives nurse cars around the track at speeds slower than GP2 cars wince they'd have almost no grip from tires built to last.

[Nicholosophy]

I think the idea here is that the cars would have to be developed to work with the all weather tyres. So if your car worked them too hard then you would be at a disadvantage to a car that worked them much easier.

[fourWheelDrift]

Originally Posted by NickoGP

I think the idea here is that the cars would have to be developed to work with the all weather tyres. So if your car worked them too hard then you would be at a disadvantage to a car that worked them much easier.

You also have to consider that all weather tyres would be just that and as such would be very different to the current wet weather tyres, it's hardly surprising they don't work in the dry as they are not designed to.

Not that I think it's a good idea though.

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

With the forces the cars can exert on the tires, all weather tires would be ripped to shreds within a few laps, never mind a full race distance. Just look at how quick everyone drives through the puddles when they have the full wets on in drying conditions. Even the inters lose their grooves within a few dry laps so developing an all weather tire would either leave the teams changing every 10 laps or less or we'd watch the drives nurse cars around the track at speeds slower than GP2 cars wince they'd have almost no grip from tires built to last.

On a dry track the intermediates are worn out within a couple of laps, simply because those tyres are too soft and not designed for all-weather conditions. In other words, a comparison is impossible.

It should be mentioned that before the introduction of slicks, Formula 1 was used to all-weather tyres.

[Hesketh]

No no, tyres designed to go racing, please.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Pingguest

It should be mentioned that before the introduction of slicks, Formula 1 was used to all-weather tyres.

Indeed. Creating slick tyres was just a way of increasing dry grip.

[Massa_number1]

Originally Posted by Marbot

Indeed. Creating slick tyres was just a way of increasing dry grip.

no way would i like to see this It would take away the drama of a sudden rain shower and cars deciding if and when to pit

Also the fact conditions have to be judged perfectly by the team any driver when selecting the correct tyre choice

[JeremySmith]

I am not interested in this concept, with all due respect to the thread starter..

[ensign14]

Originally Posted by Matt

All-weather tires = crap in everything.

Good. We don't want good tyres in the appropriate conditions. We want something with low grip so that the drivers have to DRIVE.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Pingguest

On a dry track the intermediates are worn out within a couple of laps, simply because those tyres are too soft and not designed for all-weather conditions. In other words, a comparison is impossible.

It should be mentioned that before the introduction of slicks, Formula 1 was used to all-weather tyres.

I would have thought developing an all weather tyre that can be used by a modern F1 car would be fairly expensive, considering all the testing that would be required to see if the tyre stood up to the task in all weather conditions. I think it's a non starter.

[Tall Chris]

A lot less grip than power could be fun :0)

[tristancliffe]

If F1 get all weather tyres I can imagine 99% of the audience moving to F3 or GP2 instead.

F1 is not, never has been, never will be and never should be "road relevant". If they/you want a road relevant race series, then start one.

[dyewat808]

Originally Posted by tristancliffe

If F1 get all weather tyres I can imagine 99% of the audience moving to F3 or GP2 instead.

F1 is not, never has been, never will be and never should be "road relevant". If they/you want a road relevant race series, then start one.

Sorry, I agree with your main point, but 99% I presume is just a slight exaggeration!

I'm against all-weather tyres too. Like others have said, makes it interesting for when people pit - perhaps the only type of pit-stop thats vaguely interesting to watch!