Eli5 – F1 cars have smooth tyres for grip yet on a normal car this would be certain death. Why do smooth tyres give F1 cars more grip yet normal cars less grip?

Question

Eli5 – F1 cars have smooth tyres for grip yet on a normal car this would be certain death. Why do smooth tyres give F1 cars more grip yet normal cars less grip?

In: 3088

Answer 1

Racing tires are amazing on smooth flat dry surfaces for relatively short amounts of time. Unfortunately in the real world not all roads are always smooth flat or dry.

No one wants a tire that has no traction in the rain, can’t handle gravel or dirt on the road, and only lasts 300 miles before needing to be replaced.