Formula 1 is one of the most complicated car races. The strict rules of this series of races and the process of preparing the cars can easily confuse anyone. One of the most important parts of the rules of this competition is related to Formula One tires. Simply put, Formula One tires must be heated before use, but this problem has become a new challenge for Formula One teams.
Formula One tires consist of two parts, which include the outer wall and the inner part. These two parts work at different temperatures and the surface of the tire tolerates more heat due to contact with the ground.
If you use a Formula One tire in normal conditions, the outer wall will disintegrate after a short time due to the high heat. As a result, Formula One teams use rubber blankets or tire warmers. This tool helps Formula One teams to equalize the temperature of all parts of the tire during a gradual cycle.
Warming up the tires helps F1 teams make better use of these parts. Heated tires bear less pressure when starting to move. As a result, the handling of the car is better and the tire reaches the optimal operating temperature in less time.
If F1 teams don’t use tire blankets to warm up the tires, the tires will bear significant pressure in the early laps. It becomes difficult for the driver to move in the early rounds, and in addition, there is a possibility of a sudden burst of the tire due to its extreme temperature change.
Environmental efforts against Formula One tires
The Italian company Pirelli and the World Automobile Federation believe that the use of tire blankets harms the environment. Therefore, they are trying to remove these blankets and replace them with better methods that are more compatible with the environment. Pirelli is trying to come up with tires that don’t need a blanket. These tires have not performed successfully in most of the tests, but in the Bahrain Grand Prix, the positive aspects of these tires were finally revealed. However, Formula One teams and drivers do not have a positive view of these tires.
In addition to the problem of tire collapse, there is also a bigger problem with unheated tires. Unlike normal cars, Formula One cars do not have anti-lock braking systems. As a result, if the power of the brakes overcomes the traction power of the tires, we will witness the vibration and locking of the tires, which leads to the sliding of the car.
Ultimately, this argument completely refutes Pirelli’s and FIA’s environmental argument. When the tires are not warmed up properly, there is a possibility of them locking at any time. Therefore, the number of tire failures increases and cars need more Formula One tires. As a result, more resources are needed to produce and supply tires. So until Pirelli and the World Automobile Federation can find new compounds for tires, the use of rubber blankets is the only useful, efficient and environmentally friendly solution.
