What Happens To F1 Tyres After A Race?

Summary

This script delves into the intricacies of Formula 1 tire usage, revealing that over 1,200 tires are utilized per race, with each driver receiving 15 sets from Pirelli. It explains the different tire compounds and their purposes, the post-race tire return process, and the recycling of tires into pellets for use as fuel in cement factories. The video dispels misconceptions about tire reuse and highlights the challenges of obtaining authentic Formula 1 tires for personal collection.

Takeaways

• 🏎️ Formula 1 races use over 1,200 individual tires, which are crucial for a driver's performance and strategy.
• 🔢 Each driver is allocated 15 sets of tires per race, provided by the official tire partner, Pirelli.
• 🔄 The tire allocation includes different compounds like soft, hard, and medium, which affect speed and lifespan.
• 🌧 In wet conditions, teams can use full sets of wet and intermediate tires designed for water dispersal and grip.
• 🏁 Post-race, all tires must be returned to Pirelli, including unused ones, while wheel rims and covers belong to the teams.
• 🔢 Each tire has a unique barcode for tracking and inventory management, ensuring no mix-ups during pit stops.
• ♻️ Used tires are not reusable due to heat treatment and structural changes; they are crushed and recycled.
• 🔐 Pirelli protects their intellectual property by not allowing the sale of actual Formula 1 tires to the public.
• 🔄 Recycled tire pellets are used as fuel in cement factories, where they burn without creating pollution.
• 🏆 For fans seeking memorabilia, wind tunnel tires used in testing can sometimes be purchased through platforms like F1 Authentics.
• 🚫 Beware of listings claiming to sell actual Formula 1 tires, as they are likely showcar tires made for display, not racing.

Q & A

How many individual tires are used at every Formula 1 race?

Over 1,200 individual tires are used at every Formula 1 race.

What is the role of tires in determining a driver's performance in a race?

Tires are key for a driver's performance, as they can affect whether a driver wins a race or is simply quicker than their teammates.

How many sets of tires are allocated to each driver per race round?

Each driver is allocated 15 sets of tires per race round.

What is the purpose of having different tire compounds in the allocation?

Different tire compounds are allocated to cater to varying track conditions and weather, offering a range of performance characteristics from speed to durability.

What are the three types of dry tires mentioned in the script, and what distinguishes them?

The three types of dry tires are the red soft tire (quickest but shortest lifespan), the white hard tire (slowest but longest lifespan), and the yellow medium tire (a balance between speed and lifespan).

What happens to the tires after the race is over?

After the race, all tires are taken away and never seen again; they are returned to Pirelli for recycling.

Why are wet weather tires different from dry tires?

Wet weather tires have large grooves designed to disperse water effectively, providing grip in wet conditions.

How does Pirelli keep track of the tires during a race weekend?

Pirelli uses a unique barcode system during the manufacturing process, which is scanned and logged into a system to track tire usage and allocation.

Why can't used Formula 1 tires be given away as memorabilia to fans?

Used tires cannot be given away due to safety concerns after heat treatment, intellectual property protection, and the need to prevent competitors from analyzing the tires.

What happens to the tires after they are collected post-race?

The tires are shredded into small pellets and sent to cement factories to be used as fuel at extreme temperatures without creating pollution.

How can fans obtain Formula 1 tires as memorabilia?

Fans can potentially purchase wind tunnel tires through websites like F1 Authentics, which are used for testing and sometimes awarded as pole position prizes.

Outlines

00:00

🏎️ Formula 1 Tire Usage and Post-Race Disposal

This paragraph delves into the extensive use of tires in Formula 1 racing, with over 1,200 individual tires utilized per race. Drivers are allocated 15 sets of tires per round by the official tire partner, Pirelli, which includes a mix of different compounds suited to varying track and weather conditions. The tires are categorized into red soft, white hard, and yellow medium compounds, each with its own performance and lifespan characteristics. The paragraph also explains the post-race process, where all tires are returned to Pirelli, even unused ones, and the importance of tracking and managing tire allocation to avoid mix-ups during pit stops. The unique barcode system used for tire identification and inventory management is highlighted, emphasizing the meticulous logistics behind Formula 1 tire management.

05:02

🔍 The Science Behind Formula 1 Tire Treatment and Recycling

This paragraph explores the reasons behind the treatment and disposal of Formula 1 tires. It explains the necessity of heat treatment for dry tires to activate chemicals within the rubber, which ensures optimal performance and safety during races. The paragraph clarifies why these tires cannot be reused or given away as memorabilia due to safety concerns and the protection of intellectual property. It also touches on the competitive nature of tire manufacturing and the need for Pirelli to safeguard their proprietary technology. The tires are ultimately shredded into pellets and used as fuel in cement factories, which is an environmentally friendly process as it does not produce pollution. The paragraph concludes with advice for fans seeking Formula 1 memorabilia, suggesting the purchase of wind tunnel tires through official channels as a legitimate alternative.

Keywords

💡Formula 1 tires

Formula 1 tires are the specialized rubber tires used in Formula 1 racing. They are designed to provide optimal grip and performance on the race track. The script mentions that over 1,200 individual tires are used at every race, emphasizing their importance in the sport. Each driver is allocated 15 sets of tires per round, which include different compounds to adapt to various track and weather conditions.

💡Tire compounds

Tire compounds in Formula 1 refer to the various types of rubber formulations used for different performance characteristics. The script explains that there are different compounds such as the soft red tire, which offers the quickest lap time but has a limited lifespan, and the hard white tire, which is slower but lasts longer on the track. These compounds are crucial for strategic tire changes during a race.

💡Checkered Flag

The Checkered Flag signifies the end of a Formula 1 race. In the context of the script, it marks the point at which all tires used throughout the race weekend must be returned to the tire supplier, Pirelli. This includes tires that were not even used during practice or the race, highlighting the temporary and disposable nature of these high-performance tires.

💡Pirelli

Pirelli is the official tire supplier for the Formula 1 championship. The script discusses how Pirelli provides each driver with a specific allocation of tires for each race, and how they handle the logistics and recycling of these tires post-race. Pirelli's role is central to the tire strategy and performance of the teams.

💡Barcode

In the script, a barcode is used as a unique identifier for each Formula 1 tire during the manufacturing process. This barcode system helps in tracking and managing the tires, ensuring that each tire is correctly allocated to a specific driver and team. It also assists in inventory management and compliance with FIA regulations.

💡FIA

The FIA, or Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, is the governing body for Formula 1. The script mentions that the FIA allocates unique numbers to each tire, randomizes these numbers into sets for the teams, and ensures that tire regulations are followed, such as the requirement to swap out all four tires during a pit stop.

💡Pit stop

A pit stop in Formula 1 is when a car enters the pit lane to change tires, refuel (historically), or make adjustments. The script explains that during a pit stop, all four tires must be swapped for a completely different set, which is a strategic decision that can affect the outcome of the race.

💡Wet tires

Wet tires, also known as rain tires, are designed for use in wet conditions during a race. The script describes how these tires have large grooves to disperse water and maintain grip on the track. Teams are allowed to use a full set of wet tires throughout a race if conditions are wet.

💡Intermediate tires

Intermediate tires are used when the rain has stopped, but there is still water on the track. The script notes that these tires offer better grip than wet tires in these conditions, as they are designed for a mix of wet and dry track surfaces.

💡Recycling

The script discusses the process of recycling used Formula 1 tires. After a race, the tires are not reused but are instead cut, crushed, and sent back to the UK to be shredded into pellets. These pellets are then used as fuel in cement factories, which is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of the tires without creating pollution.

💡F1 Authentics

F1 Authentics is mentioned in the script as a website where fans can purchase wind tunnel tires used by Formula 1 teams for testing. These tires are not the same as those used in races but are related memorabilia that fans can own, as actual race-used tires are not available for purchase due to various reasons, including safety and intellectual property protection.

Highlights

Over 1,200 individual tires are used at every Formula 1 race, which are crucial for a driver's performance.

Each driver is allocated 15 sets of tires per race by the official tire partner, Pirelli.

The tire allocation includes a mix of different compounds to adapt to various track and weather conditions.

Eight sets of red soft tires are provided for the fastest lap times, though they have a limited lifespan.

Two sets of white hard tires are allocated, offering longevity but slower lap times compared to soft tires.

Three sets of yellow medium tires are included, offering a balance between speed and longevity.

In wet conditions, teams are allowed to use a full set of wet tires with grooves to disperse water.

Intermediate tires are used when rain has stopped but the track is still wet, offering better grip on damp surfaces.

All tires must be returned to Pirelli after the race, including unused practice tires.

Tires have unique barcodes to track their allocation to specific teams and drivers.

The FIA randomizes tire numbers and sets for teams to ensure fair distribution.

Tire sensors measure temperature and pressure, linking data to the specific tire and wheel room.

Pit stop rules require all four tires to be swapped for a completely different set.

Unused wet or intermediate tires can be reused in future sessions due to their harder compound.

Dry tires, regardless of use, are cut and crushed after the race for safety and proprietary reasons.

Pirelli destroys tires to protect their intellectual property and prevent competitors from reverse-engineering.

Shredded tires are used as fuel in cement factories, where they burn without creating pollution.

Fans seeking Formula 1 tires as memorabilia can consider purchasing wind tunnel tires from F1 Authentics.

Transcripts

at every Formula 1 race they use over

1,200 individual tires and these are key

for If a driver is wanting to either win

a

race or to just simply be quicker than

your own teammates oh sh CL locks up

this is a deep dive into the world of

Formula 1 tires because as soon as that

Checkered Flag Falls and the race is

over all of these are taken away and

never seen again but this is what

happens to Formula 1 tires after a race

but let's take a step back and first ly

understand why so many tires are used at

every race now each driver that takes

part in the championship is allocated 15

sets of tires per round which are

provided to them by the official Tire

partner pelli the allocated amount is a

mixture of different tire compounds

which can change from round to around

depending on the location and also the

weather conditions but what you'll

usually find is firstly eight sets of

the red soft tire which will give you

the quickest lap time but its lifespan

is limited to a handful of laps before

its grip to the Circuit starts to wear

off next up you'll have two sets of the

white hard Tire which is the slowest

compound you'll get with the slick tires

however its lifespan on track can be

enormous you'll then get three sets of

the yellow medium Tire which is kind of

being a mixture of the two compounds so

not being the quickest on the circuit

but the tire will be able to manage more

laps and because of the potential 5 and

1 half hours they'll have out on track

every race weekend the teams need a few

amounts of tires to cycle through but

not too much that they have an endless

supply if the race organizers determine

it as wet then teams are allowed to use

the same Tire throughout the whole race

that being a full set of the wet Tire

which is designed to have huge grooves

to help disperse the water away whilst

it's raining and then a set of the

intermediate Tire which is more used for

when the rain is stopped but this still

has water on track and it has slightly

better grip for where you have dry

patches on the track now when the

checker flag Falls and the race is over

and it's coming to the end of the race

weekend all of the tires have to then

return to prelly even the ones which

weren't used during the practice

sessions or the race however the wheel

rims and their wheel covers are

belonging to the teams which travel

around the world with a car but just not

the rubber tire to help the teams and PR

keep track of the tires they each have a

unique number associated in a form of a

barcode during the manufacturing process

of the tire the r governing body for

Formula 1 the FIA has a unique number

allocated to each individual Tire the

FIA then randomized all of those numbers

and put them into sets for the teams and

then all of that information is then

sent back to pry in order for them to

know who they've been given out to so

when the tires reach the logistical

Center in the UK these are then scanned

using a barcode to be logged into the

system in order to know which Tire

belongs to which driver of which team

plus when the tire is first added to the

wheel room inside is a sensor which

measures the tire's temperature and its

pressure so this barcode can also link

up that sensor to the tire and to the

wheel room which can also act as a

checkout inventory this way both the

teams and the FIA can keep track on

which tires have being used so far and

so they don't accidentally mix up a set

of tires and this relates to another

rule that when you come in to change

your tires for a pit stop all four tires

must be swapped out for a completely

different set so you can't use the front

two from one set and another two from

another set so then the race is finished

and all Tires and wheel rims will be

returned back to the prly fitting area

which is located within the Formula 1

Paddock now as the name suggests the

pretty fitting area is where all the

tires eventually come to the racetrack

to actually be put onto the wheel rims

these usually come in shipping

containers which are kept at around

about 25° this way the tires are already

at the optimum temperature when they

arrive at circuit and So within the

fitting area as well as adding them onto

the wheel rims this is also where the

tires are taken off this is all done on

site so they have more control over the

tires air pressure and can monitor any

vibrations from any imbalance from when

it's added onto the wheel rim and so

it's pretty standard for Formula 1

Wheels to be unbalanced for the first

time so to quickly fix this the machine

will tell you how much weight you're

needing to counterbalance and stick onto

the wheel rim and then these tires are

then ready to give over to the Formula 1

teams and then of course at the end of

the race weekend these are where all the

wheels return to now let's say a team

has a spare set of wet tires or a spare

set of intermediate tires these can be

taken off and reused again in a future

session predominantly because they are a

much harder compound and normally used

in cooler conditions unfortunately

though this isn't the same case for dry

tires these soft medium or hard tires

regardless if they were used in a

session or not are cut and then crushed

down and put into the back of a storage

container and then these containers are

then sent back to the UK now this might

be a site which upsets Formula 1 fans

but please let me explain why they do

this and why they can't just simply give

it away to Formula 1 fans like me you

let's first address why they can't reuse

the dry slick tires even if they haven't

been used within the race session these

dry tires are first brought up to air

pressure whilst they're cold and once

the rubber has expanded and settles at a

correct pressure this is when the Heat

Blankets are turned on this is done so

when the car is about to leave the

garage or comes in for a pit stop the

air inside is already at hot temperature

at precise pressure this is because if

you went out with cold tires and without

any heat treatment whilst driving around

naturally the tires will get extremely

warm and that air pressure inside would

become even greater and could even cause

the tires to malfunction and so because

of the heat of treatment that activates

the chemicals inside which if it was to

go cold again and then reheated that

then could also become a safety issue as

its structural Integrity has changed but

I get it you know I would love to have

my very own Formula One race tire at

home whether it's been used in the race

or not it would just be great

memorabilia to have but unfortunately

for a number of reasons this can't

happen the first being that PRI are just

the official Tire supplier for the

Formula 1 championship this is all

actually looked after by Formula 1 and

the FIA so first of all they would need

the approval from both the governing

body and the championship secondly it's

also the case of protecting their own

intellectual property and by that what I

mean is that py are not the only atire

supplier that are out there in the world

that would love to work with Formula 1

which is just one of the reasons why PRI

hold their own private test days with

the Formula 1 teams to get their

feedback into how they can constantly

improve their tires every season and so

if their brand new Formula 1 race tire

was out there ready to purchase by

anybody a competitor could buy that

diagnose it in a lab to find out how it

was made what materials were done into

the rubber which could then ultimately

threaten their business to be replaced

in Formula One and at the end of the day

pry just wants to make the best racing

tires out there and it's just simply

easier to not run the risk now once all

of the tires have been accounted for and

packed away these are then shipped back

over UK where the tires are then

shredded down into small pellets now

many Formula 1 fans out there myself

included have tried to research into the

location of where Peri send the Formula

1 tires back into the UK maybe with the

hope of going there one day and maybe

trying to blag one of these Formula 1

tires for yourself before they get

shredded down into small pellets as a

small bit of memorabilia now some people

have found a location in Oxford and I

can happily say this is not the

recycling center this is a logistical

Center and please do not go there the

misconception is that this is where all

the Formula 1 tires get returned to

where in actual fact it's the other way

around this is purely just the

logistical Center where all the tires

are initially sent to and then get

logged into the system and then they're

sent from here to go to all of the races

but again this is not where all the

Formula 1 tires return after a race this

is done in a completely separate

recycling center which looks after a

bunch of different other tires coming in

not just related to Formula 1 these

small rubber pellets are then sent to

cement factories and burned to extreme

temperatures to be used as as fuel which

fun fact because of the high temperature

it's Burns at it doesn't create any

pollution and so if you're wanting your

very own Formula 1 Tire to own I can

give you some recommendations but first

of all I need to give you a bit of a

disclaimer if you're seeing any listings

of sa selling you a Formula One Tire

most likely it's not an actual Formula 1

Tire it's a showcar tire which is still

created by pelli and just like you have

display models for Formula 1 cars you

have the exact same for the tires P

produced showc car tires which look the

exact same part and feel the same part

but adj just that they just on for

display PR do still make Formula 1 tires

for people who own Formula 1 cars so if

you're wanting a tire best bet is to

maybe ask someone who owns a Formula 1

car privately the only proper

recommendation I can give you is to use

a website like F1 Authentics and by no

means is this an advert they're not

paying me to say this but basically pre

create wind tunnel tires which are used

for the Formula 1 teams when their wind

tunnel testing and you most likely have

already seen these tires because they've

been used as the poll position award for

when drivers are quickest and qualifying

and because this is already part of the

business for prelly they are able to

then sell it through a website like

everyone Authentics but if you want to

learn more about how Formula 1 works

then why not consider subscribing my

name is myus thank you very much for

watching and I'll see you next time