What is Formula 1?
Formula 1 (F1) is the pinnacle of open-wheel motorsport, established in 1950
It features the world's most advanced race cars, driven by top talents across 20+ races annually on iconic circuits like Monaco, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, and such.
Each race, or Grand Prix, typically spans 305 km (190 miles) or a 2-hour time limit, whichever comes first, with a championship decided by points over the season.
F1 cars are technological marvels, powered by 1.6-liter V6 turbo-hybrid engines producing over 1,000 horsepower.
Teams invest heavily in aerodynamics, tire management, and strategy, with races often won or lost based on pit stop decisions and tire choices.
The 2025 season, starting March 16 in Melbourne, includes 24 races, showcasing cutting-edge engineering and driver skill.
Key rules include a minimum race distance of 305 km, mandatory pit stops to change tires at least once, and the use of two different tire compounds per race.
Safety innovations like the Halo device and hybrid power units reflect F1's commitment to progress, making it a blend of sport and science.
F1 Tire Strategy Basics
Tire strategy is a critical factor in F1, managed by Pirelli, the sport's sole tire supplier since 2011. Teams select from five compounds, with strategies tailored to race conditions:
- Soft
Highest grip, wears out fastest (5-15 laps).
- Medium
Balanced performance (15-25 laps).
- Hard
Most durable, slower pace (25+ laps).
- Intermediate
For damp conditions, transitional weather.
- Wet
Full wet conditions, maximum grip.
Teams must use at least two compounds and pit at least once per race, with strategies varying from 1-stop to 2-stop plans based on race lap counts. Tire choices depend on weather (sunny, cloudy, possible rain, light rain, heavy rain) and track conditions (Dry, Damp, Wet). Use slick tires (Soft, Medium, Hard) in sunny and cloudy weather with Dry tracks, dry or intermediate tires in possible rain with Damp tracks, intermediate tires in light rain with Damp tracks, and wet tires in heavy rain with Wet tracks.
Strategy Examples
For a typical race, strategies might include:
1-Stop
Laps 1-30: Medium
Laps 31-56: Hard
2-Stop
Laps 1-18: Soft
Laps 19-38: Medium
Laps 39-56: Hard
Real F1 Tire Strategies
Formula 1 tire strategies are the heartbeat of race day, crafted by teams like Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari based on track conditions, tire wear, and race length. Pirelli provides five compounds—Soft, Medium, Hard, Intermediate, and Wet—and teams must use at least two during a race. Below are real-world examples from recent seasons, showing how strategy wins championships.
2024 Italian Grand Prix (1-Stop)
Race Length: 53 Laps | Weather: Sunny | Track Condition: Dry
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - Victory Strategy
Laps 1-27: Medium
Laps 28-53: Hard
Leclerc’s one-stop strategy on Medium to Hard tires leveraged Monza’s low degradation, securing a home victory.
2021 Spanish Grand Prix (2-Stop)
Race Length: 66 Laps | Weather: Sunny | Track Condition: Dry
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - Victory Strategy
Laps 1-20: Soft
Laps 21-45: Medium
Laps 46-66: Hard
Hamilton’s two-stop strategy adapted to Barcelona’s shifting conditions, moving from Soft to Medium to Hard for the win.
2024 British Grand Prix (2-Stop)
Race Length: 52 Laps | Weather: Light Rain | Track Condition: Damp
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - Victory Strategy
Laps 1-20: Intermediate
Laps 21-40: Medium
Laps 41-52: Hard
Hamilton’s two-stop strategy mastered Silverstone’s light rain, transitioning from Intermediate to Medium to Hard for the win.