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

F1 cars have smooth tyres only for absolutely dry conditions, just a couple droplets of rain and they have to switch to grooved tyres or they fly off in the corners. Normal cars can’t pit stop and change tyres so they have to compromise.