F1 tyre compounds explained: softs, mediums, hards and wets

Tyres are one of the biggest factors in Formula 1 strategy. Every car runs on the same Pirelli tyres, but which compound a driver uses, and for how long, often decides who gains or loses places in the pit stops.

What are the F1 dry tyre compounds?

Pirelli brings a range of slick compounds to each season, numbered from the hardest upwards. For every Grand Prix it picks three of them, and they are always marked the same way on the sidewall so they are easy to spot on track:

• Soft (red): the fastest over a single lap, but it wears out the quickest
• Medium (yellow): a balance of grip and durability
• Hard (white): slower to warm up, but it lasts the longest

Because the selection changes from track to track, the soft tyre at one race can be a different compound from the soft at the next.

What are intermediate and wet tyres?

When the track is wet, drivers switch to grooved tyres: intermediates, with green markings, for a damp track or light rain, and full wets, with blue markings, for heavy standing water.

Why do F1 drivers have to use two tyre compounds?

In a dry race each driver must use at least two different dry compounds, which means making at least one pit stop. The rule does not apply if intermediate or wet tyres are used during the race. That is why race strategy revolves around when to stop and which compound to fit next.

How to follow F1 tyre strategy live

During every session, F1 live timing shows each driver’s current compound, how many laps old the tyres are and how many pit stops they have made. After the race, the F1 race results and each race weekend page show how it all played out.