Ferrari Tyre Coating?

wowf1 · Post 12 Jun 2004, 11:54

I've just read about (on Sky text as it happens! not my usual source of F1 topics) that other top teams have lauched complaints to the FIA concerning Ferrari using a spray-on coating to their tyres for qualifying laps, to get more grip straight away.

I was going to ask about this because I race radio controlled cars and there are lots of compounds which you can buy to apply to the tyres, and it emulsifies the top layer of rubber. Then you wipe it off (and a tiny layer of rubber) , leaving fresh rubber with a lot of 'stickyness' still in the tyre.
I was going to ask about this and if it was it legal?

Obviously other teams have a problem with it so probably not legal!!! But in saying that, Ferrari have denied it so far.

Any thoughts?
rob

Monstrobolaxa · Post 12 Jun 2004, 12:07

To me it is legal!

Well the teams have to start the race with the same tires they used in qualifying...so it is up to the team to decide if they want to risk in damaging the tire or not! Too much of this spray might damage the whole tire or a whole section....

Guest · Post 12 Jun 2004, 13:30

To me Michelin is more likely to use such a spray-on coating to their tyres for qualifying laps, to get more grip straight away. How else do you explain the huge grip drop-off of the Michelin tyres after lap 1?

bernard · Post 13 Jun 2004, 05:47

Could it be that their tyres didn't work on quali because they couldn't spray them? would explain the 1 sec gap. Then on race they will get wormer and start working after a few laps. Makes sense.

bernard · Post 13 Jun 2004, 05:53

Could it be that their tyres didn't work on quali because they couldn't spray them? would explain the 1 sec gap. Then on race they will get wormer and start working after a few laps. Makes sense.

I was talking about ferrari. Michelin has it exactly the other way around: their tyres work on the first lap, and then they get some worse laps before they start working again.

Guest · Post 13 Jun 2004, 09:24

Interesting.I don't think FIA has any rule concerning the numbers of compound in each tyres,if the coating is even considered a compound.Excellent idea.Imagine how much they spent on researching this.Millions of bucks just for a few hundredths of a second a it's still worth it.Amazing.

wowf1 · Post 13 Jun 2004, 14:10

Well to be honest i bet they didn't develope it. There are already 100's of types of tyre softner that are used in drag racing, go karts, and even, as i said R/C cars. You can get a bottle for about £10, so, Ferrari shouldn't have to tighten their belts too much!!!! Quite cheap really. Although i'm sure Bridgestone would have researched it previously.

rob

pompelmo · Post 13 Jun 2004, 15:23

well, I read it too and I thik is illegal to use any kind of
(chemichal) stuff to the tires!
The compound most be the same for every team!

EvilPhil · Post 13 Jun 2004, 22:21

yeah it is illegal to use chemicals on tyres in f1. also there is a rule concerning diffrent compounds of rubber within the same tyre and i have always been surprised BS havent used this argument against their competition.

Guest · Post 16 Jun 2004, 09:19

chemical aftertreatment is forbidden.Why not put the wheels into a parc ferme between sessions?so you could be sure there is no tyre tuning going on between sessions and race.

Guest · Post 16 Jun 2004, 17:29

EvilPhil wrote:yeah it is illegal to use chemicals on tyres in f1. also there is a rule concerning diffrent compounds of rubber within the same tyre and i have always been surprised BS havent used this argument against their competition.

I'm pretty sure Michelin don't use two different compounds within the same tyre. Simple to explain why:

1- The tyres being very good for 1 lap and then dropping off dramatically indicates they're running softer tyres than Bridgestone.
2- Again the inconsistency of the tyres indicate they're running softer tyres compared to BS.
3- When it just begins to rain Michelin have the upper hand which clearly is an indication that again Michelin run softer tyré compounds compared to BS.

BS worked a lot on tyre constructions during the winter, and this year can run softer compounds compared to last year. However they don't go as soft as the Michelins do which explains the different tyre x-tics. It has to be said, you get points for racing & not for qualifying so clearly BS has got the better tyre x-tic overall!!

Monstrobolaxa · Post 16 Jun 2004, 17:33

The question is....even if they«re using softer tires why/how does the performance come back after 15/16 laps?

bernard · Post 16 Jun 2004, 18:15

The question is....even if they«re using softer tires why/how does the performance come back after 15/16 laps?

I suppose the teams don't even know this. It was the same thing with brigestone already many years ago. Fist the tyres work, then they dont, and then they start working again. It's just something to do with the rubber's chemical structure and how it changes. The tyres are probably the least understood part of an F1 car. Probably there is some complicated chemical/physical explanation behind this, but it doesn't mean they would be running multiple compounds on one tyre.

rodders · Post 17 Jun 2004, 09:33

--- more rules and parc fermee, Like who wants any of them ? this is going way to sensical to me

rodders · Post 17 Jun 2004, 09:36

I race 1/5 th R/C cars and we have a rule that stipulates no additrive to be used on the tyre surface. We DO however coat the trackl with a solution of "Sugar and Water " to aid traction to everyones benefit