Degradation (Deg)

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL36, leads George Russell, Mercedes W13, and Esteban Ocon, Alpine A522 entering corner

In Formula 1 racing, degradation refers to the gradual loss of performance of the tires as they are used during the race. As the tires are used, they begin to lose their grip on the track, which can result in slower lap times and increased wear on the tires.

The process of degradation is affected by various factors such as the track surface, the tire compound, and the weather conditions. For example, a soft tire compound will degrade quicker than a harder one, and a track that is abrasive will cause more degradation than one that is smooth.

When a tire is new, it has the maximum grip, but as the race goes on, the tire loses its grip and it's harder for the driver to maintain the same level of speed, this is why teams will have to make pit stop\s to change the tires, which can affect the overall performance of the team.

In Formula 1 racing, teams will have to strategize how to manage the tire degradation in order to maintain the best possible performance throughout the race. This can include adjusting the car's setup, choosing the right tire compound, and making pit stops at the right time.

In simple terms, degradation in Formula 1 racing refers to the loss of performance of the tires as they are used during the race, it happens due to various factors and can be managed by the teams through their strategies, pit stops and tire choices.