F1 Tyres in 2024: Compounds, Rules, and Changes Explained
With the 2024 season marking Pirelli’s 13th year as Formula 1’s sole tyre supplier, several key updates have been introduced.
One major change was the discontinuation of the C0 compound, which was trialed in 2023 but never fully adopted during a race weekend. As a result, F1 reverted to five tyre compounds for the 2024 season, offering a streamlined selection across its record-breaking 24-race calendar.
F1 Tyre Colours and Compounds
Pirelli has consistently enhanced the viewing experience for fans, partly by introducing colour-coded tyre sidewalls. These colours make it easier for spectators to follow tyre strategies:
- White: Hard compound
- Yellow: Medium compound
- Red: Soft compound
This simple yet effective system helps viewers distinguish the compounds being used by different teams during a race.
Tyre Compounds for 2024
For the 2024 season, Pirelli has developed five tyre types ranging from the softest (C5) to the hardest (C1). During each race weekend, only three compounds are made available:
- The soft tyre (red) is the quickest but wears out the fastest.
- The medium tyre (yellow) offers a balance between speed and durability.
- The hard tyre (white) is the most durable but sacrifices speed for longevity.
Teams will continue to have 13 sets of tyres for each race weekend, which includes:
- 8 soft sets
- 3 medium sets
- 2 hard sets
These compounds can be mixed and matched based on Pirelli’s allocation, meaning the same tyre can serve different roles across different weekends.
Wet and Intermediate Tyres
F1 also requires tyres for wet conditions. The green-walled intermediate tyre features grooves that help drain water from the track, while the blue-walled full wet tyre has deeper treads for extreme rain. In recent seasons, however, races that require full wets often face red flags due to poor grip and visibility.
Tyre Usage Rules for 2024
A driver must use at least two different types of tyres during the race, except in wet conditions, when intermediates or full wets are used. After each practice session, teams must return two sets of tyres, leaving seven sets for qualifying and the race. Each driver also gets four sets of intermediates and three sets of rain tyres for wet weather races.
Tyre Blankets and Temperature Regulations
Maintaining the optimal tyre temperature is critical for grip and performance. Tyre blankets, which preheat the tyres before a session, help drivers get the tyres into the ideal temperature range. In 2024, the blanket temperature has been reduced from 100°C to 70°C, as F1 moves towards phasing them out completely by 2025. However, concerns over safety have delayed the full elimination of tyre blankets.
These changes aim to balance performance and safety, while providing exciting races for F1 fans across the globe.
Source: https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/100347/f1-tyres-changes-compounds-rules-colours-blankets/
