Formula 1
Formula 1 tyres and pit stops: compounds, wet-weather tyres and race strategy
Tyres are both a sporting rule and a strategic tool in Formula 1. This guide explains the dry, intermediate and wet options, the dry-race tyre requirement and the pit-lane rules that shape tyre changes.
Five tyre specifications cover dry and wet conditions
At each Competition the FIA-appointed supplier provides three dry-weather specifications, one intermediate and one wet-weather specification. Each must be visibly distinguishable when a car is on track.
A dry race requires two different dry specifications
Unless a driver uses intermediate or wet tyres during the Race, they must use at least two different dry-weather specifications, including at least one mandatory Race specification. Failure normally means disqualification; if the Race is suspended and cannot restart, the rule provides a 30-second time addition instead.
Wet-weather tyres follow Race Director declarations and safety procedures
In free practice, intermediate and wet tyres may only be used after the track is declared wet. If formation laps start behind the Safety Car, wet-weather tyres are compulsory until its orange lights go out and it returns to the pit lane.
Pit-lane rules shape strategy, but do not prescribe one plan
The pit-lane speed limit is 80 km/h unless the Race Director changes it for safety. The regulations set tyre-use and pit-lane constraints, but they do not prescribe a universal one-stop or two-stop strategy; teams choose timing according to the race situation.