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25.4 Use of tyres :
Tyres will only be deemed to have been used once the car’s timing transponder has shown that
it has left the pit lane.
a) Eleven sets of dry‐weather tyres will be allocated by the FIA technical delegate to each
nominated driver six of “prime” specification and five of “option” specification.
One set of “prime” specification must be returned to the tyre supplier before the start of
P2 and one further set of “prime” specification and one set of “option” specification
before the start of P3. If P1 and P2 are both declared wet one set of the tyres normally
returned before the start of P3 may be retained by each driver but must be returned to
the tyre supplier before the start of the qualifying practice session.
If Article 25.2(d) is invoked an additional set of either “prime” or “option” specification
tyres will be available to each nominated driver for use during P1 and P2. This set of
tyres must be returned to the tyre supplier before the start of P3.
If an additional driver is used (see Article 19.1(b) he must use the tyres allocated to the
nominated driver he replaced.
b) If an additional specification of dry‐weather tyre is made available in accordance with
Article 25.1(a) two sets of these tyres will be allocated to each driver for use during P1
and P2. Any such tyres must be returned to the tyre supplier before the start of P3.
c) From the remaining dry‐weather tyres one set of each specification must be returned to
the tyre supplier before the start of the qualifying practice session.
d) Prior to the start of the qualifying practice session intermediate and wet‐weather tyres
may only be used after the track has been declared wet by the race director, following
which intermediate, wet or dry‐weather tyres may be used for the remainder of the
session.
e) At the start of the race each car which took part in Q3 must be fitted with the tyres with
which the driver set his grid time. This will only be necessary if dry‐weather tyres were
used to set the grid time and if dry‐weather are used at the start of the race.
Any such tyres damaged during Q3 will be inspected by the FIA technical delegate who
will decide, at his absolute discretion, whether any may be replaced and, if so, which
tyres they should be replaced with.
A penalty under Article 16.3(b) will be imposed on any driver whose car is not fitted with
the tyres with which he set his grid time (except if damaged tyres have been replaced
with the approval of the FIA technical delegate).
f) Unless he has used intermediate or wet‐weather tyres during the race, each driver must
use at least one set of each specification of dry‐weather tyres during the race.
If the race is suspended and cannot be re‐started, thirty seconds will be added to the
elapsed time of any driver who was unable to use both specifications of dry‐weather
tyre during the race. However, any driver who completes the race without using both
specifications of dry‐weather tyre will be excluded from the race results.
g) If the race is started behind the safety car because of heavy rain (see Article 40.16), or
resumed in accordance with Article 42.5(a), the use of wet‐weather tyres until the safety
car returns to the pits is compulsory.
A penalty under Article 16.3(b) will be imposed on any driver who does not use wet
weather tyres whilst the safety car is on the track at such times.
Michael Schumacher has launched a scathing attack on Pirelli, saying their tyres force drivers to race "well below" their limits.
Having made their return to F1 to critical acclaim last season, Pirelli opted for an even more aggressive approach to their compounds for this year's Championship.
And although the tyres have undoubtedly spiced up the show, Schumacher reckons it has had a negative impact for the drivers who cannot race flat-out.
"The main thing I feel unhappy about is everyone has to drive well below a driver's, and in particular, the car's limits to maintain the tyres," said the Mercedes driver.
"I just question whether the tyres should play such a big importance, or whether they should last a bit longer, and that you can drive at normal racing car speed and not cruise around like we have a safety car.
"I'm not happy about the situation, let's see what happens in future. If it was a one-off car issue, you could say it's up to us to deal with it.
"But basically it is everybody, with maybe one or two exceptions, and if it is 80 percent of the field that has this problem, then maybe the tyre supplier should think about that."
Schumacher's criticism came in the wake of Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix, which saw drivers have to stop three times in the 57-lap race.
As for Pirelli's response, Paul Hembrey told Autosport: "I'm disappointed to hear those comments. Others were getting on with the job and getting their tyres to work.
"His comments during winter testing were that he was very happy with the tyres, and now he seems to have changed his tune."
I don't disagree, but not for the reason Michael states.
F1 is about technology and pushing the limits of that technology in whatever area it's in. We're not saddling F1 cars with restrictor plates for engine intakes, we're not making a chassis less rigid in order to reduce the handling capability, or the steering less accurate, or the brakes less efficient. So why fiddle with the tires? Why not have a component be the best it can be within the sporting regulations?
It's a gimmick, like it or not, just like DRS, and like KERS designed only to enhance the racing experience to suit someone idea of that racing experience. It's wrong, but it's here and it's part of the sport and it's the same for everyone.
The impact of it though is very profound, effectively changing the way drivers drive, and makes a tire strategy the single biggest winning factor in a race, and a driver's ability to execute on that strategy the second biggest factor... seemingly more so than the car itself.
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