how do tire treads actually generate more traction on flat surfaces?

Question

I can understand in off-roading because they would actually bite into the ground and push against it, but if the road does not deform into the treads then wouldn’t it be better to have them slick for more surface area? why do race cars use slick tires and not consumer vehicles?

In: 186

Answer 1

Slicks are great on controlled surfaces like racetracks. Watch an F1 race when the rain starts falling, what do they do? They all get into the pit lanes and swap to treaded tires. It takes very little water on the road to make slicks dangerous as hell. That is just water, street cars contend with water, snow, ice, crappy pavement, etc.