Why Formula 1 Tyres EXPLODE

F1 tyres sometimes go bang in spectacular fashion. They can be fine for 50 laps, then explode with no warning, all while the driver is doing 180 miles per hour into a corner. But why? What is really happening when a tyre gives up? Today we’re going to look into some of the most INSANE tyre explosions and how F1 cars manage to literally RIP THEIR TYRES APART. If you’re a long-time F1 fan, you’ll know that the tyres break pretty frequently. This can happen in a number of interesting ways and we’re going to go over that. But first, to understand why they go bang, let me explain how they’re put together. A Formula 1 tyre is made up of a mixture of synthetic and natural rubbers, combined with other materials like Carbon Black that are layered and then cured in a mould under extreme heat and pressure. This intense heat and pressure produces a reaction between the materials that combines their short chains of molecules into longer ones, creating the tyre compound. These longer chains give the tyre the elasticity to cope, [most of the time] with the extreme loads of F1. This compound is supported by a mixture of kevlar, nylon and polyester that makes up the sidewall, the carcass and the tread around the outside of the tyre. This helps the tyre withstand incredible loading under acceleration, braking and turning. And finally, the tyre is not filled with air, they are actually inflated with dry nitrogen gas. This is because when air gets warm, it changes its volume more than nitrogen, meaning tyre pressures also change. Using nitrogen means the tyre pressures are much more consistent. Join our F1 Mailing List! 👉 https://driver61.beehiiv.com/subscribe 📹 All source footage can be found here 👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V... ➤Follow Driver61 on: ➤ Instagram- @official_driver61 - https://bit.ly/D61Insta ➤TikTok - @official_driver61 - https://bit.ly/D61TikTok ➤ Follow Scott on: ➤ Twitter -   / scottkmansell   ➤ Instagram - @official_driver61 - https://bit.ly/D61Insta #Formula1 #F1 #Tyres