Hard and Soft Compound Tires

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by 134282, May 24, 2008.

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  1. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Can someone explain to me the purpose for hard and soft compound tires, the difference between the two (beyond the obvious hard and soft), and the advantages and disadvantages of each...?
     
  2. PDX Tifosi

    PDX Tifosi Karting

    Jun 19, 2007
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    In a nutshell, hard tires have a more durable compond that lasts longer but sacrifices overall grip. Soft tires have more grip but sacrifice durability.
     
  3. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

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    It gives Bridgestone more opportunity for profit, which is probably shared with Bernie.

    If F1 really wanted to curb rising costs, there should only be two tires for every race instead of three: one dry and one wet.
     
  4. DGS

    DGS Six Time F1 World Champ
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    A race tire and a qualifying tire.

    (To make it less obvious, the rules require running part of the race on the qualifying tire.)
     
  5. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

    In what context? F1? Road cars?
     
  6. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

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    Why would it matter what type of racing the tires are used for?
     
  7. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

    Hmmm...lemme think...

    Well, with my cars we have three compounds to choose from and we don't use the terms "hard" or "soft". How about you?
     
  8. ferraridude615

    ferraridude615 F1 Veteran

    May 4, 2006
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    Ferrari seems to be very delicate with their tires, so they, unlike most other teams, run the soft tires a lot. In Turkey they were the only front runners to start the race on softs.

    Other cars seem to be harsh on their tires requiring them to run most of the race on the hards to that they don't disintegrate.
     
  9. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Thank you.

    Makes sense to me. :)

    Sorry, I should have clarified. I was referring to F1. I always hear them talk about it, but I never what they mean. So I figured I'd ask.
     
  10. anguruso

    anguruso Formula Junior

    Jan 20, 2007
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    Hard and Soft are relative terms. This is because Bridgestone has four different compounds of Formula 1 dry tyres. So the one with the white stripe is the softer of the two. Bridgestone chooses which tyres to bring to the race.
     
  11. Brakefade

    Brakefade Formula Junior

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    #11 Brakefade, May 25, 2008
    Last edited: May 25, 2008
    Bridgestone has a whole range of tire compounds for F1, ranging from soft to hard (I think it's around 7 compounds). Bridgestone then chooses two compounds to provide to the teams, for a particular race. The decision of what two compounds will be used is based on the expected weather at the circuit, and how abrasive the tarmac at the circuit is. If it's cold and the tarmac is abrasive, Bridgestone will probably choose the two hardest compounds. If it's the opposite conditions they will chose the two softest compounds. If it's some combination, like cold weather and smooth tarmac, they'll probably choose compounds in the middle of their range.

    Harder compounds work well in almost any weather and track condition. While softer compounds can provide more grip, they will not work well in the cold because they grain while the driver gets them up to temperature. Graining is little chunks of rubber that come off the tire. Graining reduces the life of a tire and makes them grip less. If the tarmac surface is too abrasive softer compounds will wear quicker. This is the reason why softer compounds are more consistent once the track has been rubbered in (smooth and grippy). If it rains, all that rubber that gets embedded into the tarmac will be washed away, exposing the rough surface of the tarmac, which will shorten the life the softer compounds.
     
  12. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    Does a driver have to choose one type of tire (hard or soft) for all of Q3? Is he allowed to change the type of tire before the start of the race or should he start with the Q3 tire? What if Q3 is dry but the race starts in the rain?
     
  13. YellowbirdRS

    YellowbirdRS Formula 3

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    #13 YellowbirdRS, May 25, 2008
    Last edited: May 25, 2008
    Compounds are often described in terms of their "hardness" or "softness". This does not mean literally how hard the tyres are to touch, but describes how the tyres behave on the racetrack. Harder compound tyres will be more durable than softer compound tyres, meaning that the driver can complete a greater number of laps before the tyres lose performance and they are forced to make a pit stop. However, the harder compounds will provide less grip than the softer compounds, meaning that the driver will not be able to go as fast on each of the laps they make. The choice of tyre compound is therefore a compromise between durability and grip. Choose hard and you'll be able to stay out longer than your competitors. Choose soft and you'll have to pit earlier in the race but you'll be going faster than they are and may be able to make up the difference!

    More info: http://www.bridgestonemotorsport.com/Bridgestone/en-gb/Championships/Formula1/Features/
     
  14. DGS

    DGS Six Time F1 World Champ
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    We often see people run primes (the harder of the two tires) at the beginning of Q3, and then change to options (the softer tire, marked with a white tread stripe (to avoid using a red sidewall like CART ;))) for the crunch at the end of Q3.

    They can then choose a new tire for the race, but they have to do at least one lap on each of the two compounds during the race, unless they use rain tires during the race. There are two types of rain tire: an "intermediate" for damp conditions and a "wet" for conditions where water is running across the track.

    They only have a certain number of sets of each type of tires they can use during a race weekend, but I don't know exactly how they're split up.


    Actually, you'd want a softer compound in colder temperatures, where use can keep them in their operating temperature range. Harder compounds, which don't heat as quickly from use, would tolerate warmer ambient temperatures better.

    (You don't use "soft" summer tires in winter, because street use won't keep them in their operating temp range when it's cold outside. Winter tires are a different soft compound, designed for colder temperatures, and tend to wear quickly if operated in summer.)
     

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