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

My car’s tires were worn down almost smooth when I bought it. Just a little bit of rain and stepping on the gas while driving 65mph caused the back end to break free from the pavement. Driving over a railroad crossing on a curve, even when dry, same thing happened. After getting new tires, I stopped losing grip.

If the surface is dry and not metal, a smooth tire will translate the torque into speed. With metal or wet pavement the torque causes wheel slip