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

Typical car tires have grooves to handle hazardous conditions like rain or snow or debris. Under ideal conditions normal cars would be just fine with smooth tires. In fact, when it begins to drizzle, F1 cars switch tires for just that reason.