"prime". As I understand, and please correct/expand, you have to use both tyres in the race,
with no minimum/maximum for either tyre?
What makes a tyre
- CigarGuy
- Posts: 258
- Joined: 10 Oct 14, 12:37
- Favourite Driver: Alonso/Button
- Favourite Team: McLaren
- Location: Clearwater, FL
What makes a tyre
Speaking English as a second language
- CookinFlat6
- Banned
- Posts: 7206
- Joined: 21 Apr 12, 21:22
- Favourite Driver: Hamiltonian
- Favourite Team: HDL
- Location: Banned
Re: What makes a tyre
There are several compounds made up of a formula only Pirelli will know the details, but all tyres are made with a mix of real rubber and mostly synthetic rubber and other elements - this allows the characteristices of each tyre type to be manipulated and things like deg controlled.
Out of all the range available this year at each race there will be 2 for dry weather
these are classed as Prime (the hard more durable) and option (the faster 'option')
So at some races the prime could be the option at other races, colours show which is which
wet tyres are different - 4 of those
Out of all the range available this year at each race there will be 2 for dry weather
these are classed as Prime (the hard more durable) and option (the faster 'option')
So at some races the prime could be the option at other races, colours show which is which
wet tyres are different - 4 of those

2014 Monster 26x Bookie Mugger
2015, 2016 WDC: LH44
- CigarGuy
- Posts: 258
- Joined: 10 Oct 14, 12:37
- Favourite Driver: Alonso/Button
- Favourite Team: McLaren
- Location: Clearwater, FL
Re: What makes a tyre
So, the prime is always the harder of the two options? Has no other significance than that, correct?
Each team decides how much they want to run the prime and the softer alternative?
Each team decides how much they want to run the prime and the softer alternative?
Speaking English as a second language
- What's Burning?
- Banned
- Posts: 21486
- Joined: 24 Feb 10, 00:09
- Favourite Driver: Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg
- Favourite Team: Porsche North America, Porsche LMP1
- Location: PULL IN CASE OF FIRE
Re: What makes a tyre
Jesus CG might as well ask about who's god is a greater god. This is a long one.
After starting to write something, figured a link is a quicker response. F1 Tire Regulations
After starting to write something, figured a link is a quicker response. F1 Tire Regulations
"I don't want to be part of a forum where everyone has differing opinions." Boom...
- CigarGuy
- Posts: 258
- Joined: 10 Oct 14, 12:37
- Favourite Driver: Alonso/Button
- Favourite Team: McLaren
- Location: Clearwater, FL
Re: What makes a tyre
What's Burning? wrote:Jesus CG might as well ask about who's god is a greater god. This is a long one.
After starting to write something, figured a link is a quicker response. F1 Tire Regulations
Thanks, Dub B!

Speaking English as a second language
- racechick
- Missing Mod
- Posts: 23581
- Joined: 03 Aug 07, 11:08
- Favourite Driver: Lewis Hamilton
- Favourite Team: Mercedes AMG Petronas
- Location: Nottinghham UK
Re: What makes a tyre
CigarGuy wrote:So, the prime is always the harder of the two options? Has no other significance than that, correct?
Each team decides how much they want to run the prime and the softer alternative?
I try with technical things CG! but I'm Not an expert at all!
The prime usually lasts longer and the option usually goes faster, which is why they usually qualify on the option. They are obliged to use both tyres during the race, when and how long is up to them. Drivers in the top ten( q3 ) have to start the race on the tyre they did their fastest Q3 time on.
If it rains and the drivers have to use wets or intermediates at some point, that negates the need to use the other dry tyre.
I STILL get the words option and prime mixed up!

You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
Abe Lincoln
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. Abe Lincoln
Abe Lincoln
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. Abe Lincoln
- Jabberwocky
- Mod
- Posts: 16412
- Joined: 31 Jul 07, 19:51
- Favourite Driver: 5 Iron
- Favourite Team: Williams
- Location: Oxford
Re: What makes a tyre
I always think of it as prime for the race.

A racing car that does not win, is just art
- sagi58
- Posts: 10203
- Joined: 23 Jul 13, 22:05
- Favourite Driver: He Who Drives for Ferrari!!
- Favourite Team: Scuderia Ferrari
- Location: 5 miles North of "X"!
Re: What makes a tyre
CigarGuy wrote:So, the prime is always the harder of the two options? Has no other significance than that, correct?
Each team decides how much they want to run the prime and the softer alternative?
Totally agree with Jabber, I try to remember that it's the prime for that particular race.
Thing is that the teams don't "really" have the choice to decide which tire is used for which race.
Pirelli is the one that makes the decision which two tire compounds are available for each race.
Then, the teams can decide how long to run which tire and in what order.
p.s. to really mess things up, some people spell it "tyre"!!


- Jabberwocky
- Mod
- Posts: 16412
- Joined: 31 Jul 07, 19:51
- Favourite Driver: 5 Iron
- Favourite Team: Williams
- Location: Oxford
Re: What makes a tyre

A racing car that does not win, is just art
- CookinFlat6
- Banned
- Posts: 7206
- Joined: 21 Apr 12, 21:22
- Favourite Driver: Hamiltonian
- Favourite Team: HDL
- Location: Banned
Re: What makes a tyre
Christ jabs, thats the last thing I need - uncertainty about wich spelling to use 


2014 Monster 26x Bookie Mugger
2015, 2016 WDC: LH44
- Jabberwocky
- Mod
- Posts: 16412
- Joined: 31 Jul 07, 19:51
- Favourite Driver: 5 Iron
- Favourite Team: Williams
- Location: Oxford
Re: What makes a tyre
It seems only the north america use tire

A racing car that does not win, is just art