Imagine driving at high speed, where every second counts, and the tyres are working hard to keep you safe on a rain-soaked track. This is exactly what tyre makers like Pirelli are trying to improve. Their latest focus is on making wet tyres better so they can be used in more racing conditions, not just when the weather forces a red flag.
The Current Problem with Wet Tyres
Pirelli's wet tyres are designed to displace water quickly to prevent aquaplaning, which can cause loss of control. In fact, at racing speeds, these tyres can move as much as 85 litres of water each second. But there's a catch — these tyres don’t perform well enough in most wet conditions to be used safely during normal racing. They tend to overheat and degrade quickly, meaning they are mainly used only when conditions are extreme or there’s a race stoppage.
This has led to frustrating moments for drivers and fans. For example, in recent races at Belgium and Brazil, drivers often waited on intermediates because the wet tyres weren’t reliable. They chose not to push hard in rain because the tyres could lose grip very easily. This discourages fast racing and can lead to less exciting races when conditions are wet.
What Pirelli is Doing to Improve Wet Tyres
Pirelli is actively working to make their tyres better for wet conditions. Their plan is to develop tyres that can stay effective in a wider range of rain levels, especially for the next generation of cars coming in 2026. They want the wet tyres to be more useful during a race — not just for safety cars or stoppages but also for regular racing conditions.
To do this, Pirelli has been testing new tyre compounds. Recently, they held a test at the Fiorano circuit, with drivers like Charles Leclerc and Zhou Guanyu. The goal was to find the right balance between grip and durability. The testing used special 'mule cars', which simulate the loadings of future F1 cars, although the tests are not perfect due to weather and technical limits.
One key focus is finding the ideal ‘crossover point’ — the point where tyres switch from slicks to intermediates. Ideally, this happens when lap times slow to about 115-118% of their dry speed. For example, if a dry lap is 100 seconds, the switch should happen around 115-118 seconds. The previous wet tyres only became usable at around 120%, so improvements are needed to make the tyres more versatile and safer in wet conditions.
Pirelli's engineers are also working on new tread patterns and compounds that stay cooler and have less lateral movement, which helps tyres last longer and maintain grip. Their goal is to bring the crossover point closer to the ideal of 115%, making the tyres effective in more weather conditions without sacrificing safety or performance.
Overall, these developments aim to help drivers race more confidently in wet weather, leading to more exciting and safer races. Fans can look forward to more unpredictable races where tyre strategy plays a big role. Pirelli’s efforts show how tyre technology is still evolving to meet the challenging demands of modern Formula 1 racing.
