Explained: Logan's tires
We break down all the tech behind Sarge's tire compounds
20 Aug 2024
3 min read
One of the most important and talked about aspects of Logan’s race day is his tire strategy, so let’s break down all you need to know about the different compounds and the super technical circles of black rubber…
Since 2011, all F1 teams have been exclusively provided with the same tires by Italian tire manufacturer, Pirelli. With the regulation changes coming into effect back in 2022, Pirelli moved from a 13-inch tire to providing teams with a new 18-inch tire design that is still used in the 2024 season today, albeit with some slight tweaks to the various compounds that are on offer to the teams.
Pirelli’s range of 18-inch tires available for Sarge and the team includes six different slick compounds, to be used in dry conditions. Ranging from hardest to softest, these are: C0, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5. There are also intermediate tires available to be used in damp and changing weather conditions, as well as full wet tires for when rain gets heavy enough.
Every F1 race weekend, Pirelli will choose three different variations of their slick tires based on the weather climate and track characteristics, with one being the soft tire (red), one being the medium (yellow) and one being the hard tire option (white).
The soft tire compound will provide Logan and his fellow drivers with the most grip due the ability to conform to the track quicker, and therefore will usually be the fastest tire option. However, the softer tire will suffer from degradation and wear much faster than the other compounds, especially in warmer temperatures. This makes the soft the best option for qualifying and may be utilised in a race that has less wearing track conditions.
The medium compound is a balance between the lap speed of the soft compound and the durability of the hard. The mediums can maintain a consistent level of grip over a longer distance depending on tire management, making them an extremely versatile compound option. They are ideal for situations where Sarge will need to manage tire degradation, making them a go-to option for a lot of race tire strategies.
Hard tire compounds offer the least amount of grip of the three, but are built to last. They have the longest life span in terms of distance and durability during a race, making them ideal for long stints, high temperatures and abrasive track surfaces where tire wear is high.
In theory, the hard will provide the slowest lap time and require warming up to temperature to grip the track properly, but the increased durability means drivers can go much further without needing to pit-stop. This makes them advantageous for when Logan and the team may want to try a one stop strategy on race day.
Over a standard race weekend, Sarge and his fellow drivers will each be given 13 sets of dry slick tires, four sets of intermediate tires and three sets of full wet tires. An additional set of soft tires is also reserved for all drivers that make it to Q3 in qualifying. During a race it is a mandatory requirement that Logan must use two different sets of compounds as part of his tire strategy, unless the track is declared wet.
With the grid so competitive in Formula 1, choosing the right tire compounds and correct strategy to outwit opponents is crucial to the outcome of every race.