--- description: "Tyre strategy in F1 explained: how teams plan compound choice, stint length, the two-compound rule, undercut vs overcut, and Safety Car reactions." title: "Tyre strategy in F1: compound choice, undercut and Safety Car" image: https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/SI202210300551_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-330x220.jpg --- [Skip to main content](#content) ![Change language](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/themes/f1fansite/images/flags-svg/gb.svg?v=2) [![F1-Fansite.com](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/themes/f1fansite/images/logo-mob.png)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/) ![Circuit of The Americas circuit ahead of the 2026 2026 United States F1 GP](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2025-cota-header-990x122.jpg) [![Try F1 on Apple TV for 7 days](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/F1-Launch_Refresh2_Static_Affiliate_728x90_US-EN.jpg)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-on-apple-tv/) [![F1-Fansite.com](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/themes/f1fansite/images/logo.png)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/) [Sign in](https://www.f1-fansite.com/login/) - [Home](https://www.f1-fansite.com/) - [F1 News](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-news/) - [F1 2026](https://www.f1-fansite.com/2026-formula-1-season/) - [F1 2027](https://www.f1-fansite.com/2027-formula-1-season/) - [All Time](https://www.f1-fansite.com/all-time-f1-archive/) - [F1 Stats](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-statistics/) - [Photos](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-wallpapers/) - [F1 Fans](https://www.f1-fansite.com/fans/) - [F1 Quiz](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-quizzes/) - [F1 Tickets](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-tickets/) - [F1 Merchandise](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-merchandise/) - Add to home screen [Sign in](https://www.f1-fansite.com/login/) [Next session![Circuit of The Americas](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/themes/f1fansite/images/flags-svg/us.svg?v=2) US United States Grand Prix · FP100d 00h 00m 00s](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-calendar/usa-grand-prix-f1-race-information/) [Next session![Circuit of The Americas](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/themes/f1fansite/images/flags-svg/us.svg?v=2) US United States Grand Prix · FP100d 00h 00m 00s](https://www.f1-fansite.com/f1-calendar/usa-grand-prix-f1-race-information/) # Tyre strategy [![](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/SI202210300551_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-330x220.jpg)](https://www.f1-fansite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/SI202210300551_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb.jpg) Sergio Perez makes a pitstop during the 2022 F1 Grand Prix of Mexico **Tyre strategy is the plan a Formula 1 team builds around when, how, and with which compounds to pit during a race.** Modern F1 races are almost always won or lost on the strategist's table before they are won on the track, and the interplay of stint length, compound choice, undercut and overcut timing decides more results than raw pace alone. ## What is tyre strategy in F1? Tyre strategy is the sequence of tyre compounds, pit-stop timings and stint lengths a team plans for a race. It is built around the three or four available Pirelli compounds nominated for the event, the mandatory two-compound-use rule, and the tyre allocation each driver has for the weekend. It is refined during practice, tested in qualifying, and executed live during the race. ## Key ingredients of tyre strategy - **Compound choice per stint:** which nominated compound (hard, medium, soft) will be used; - **Stint length:** how many laps each set will last before degradation forces a stop; - **Pit-window timing:** when the ideal stop for each stint sits inside the race distance; - **Undercut or overcut plan:** whether to pit before or after a rival; - **Rain contingency:** intermediate and full-wet options for changing weather; - **Safety-car reaction plan:** how the strategy shifts if a Safety Car appears at different points in the race. ## The two-compound rule Under the current dry-race rules the FIA requires each driver to use at least two different Pirelli compounds during the race. This is what forces at least one pit stop and prevents a purely one-stop-nowhere-else race. In wet or red-flagged races the requirement can be waived, but under standard dry conditions it is enforced by the timing team's live monitoring. ## Undercut versus overcut Two of the most important tactical calls are the undercut (pit early, gain track position through fresh-tyre out-lap pace) and the overcut (stay out, use clean-air lap time to gain the position through pit-stop timing). Each has specific circumstances where it works: undercuts on high-degradation circuits with heavy traffic, overcuts on low-degradation circuits with cool weather and slow tyre warm-up. ## Frequently asked questions about tyre strategy ### What is tyre strategy in F1? Tyre strategy is the plan of compound choice, stint length and pit-stop timing a team designs for a race, refined during practice and executed live. ### Do drivers have to use two different tyre compounds in a race? Yes, under standard dry conditions. The FIA requires each driver to use at least two different Pirelli compounds during a race. ### What is the difference between undercut and overcut? An undercut pits early for fresh tyres to jump a rival on out-lap pace. An overcut stays out longer, using clean-air lap time to gain position through pit-stop timing. ### How does a Safety Car change tyre strategy? A Safety Car reduces the pit-stop time-loss significantly, because the field is running at controlled pace. That often makes a "free" pit stop advantageous and can rewrite the strategy in one call. ### Who plans tyre strategy for a team? The strategist, working with the tyre engineer and the race engineer, plans it before the race and adjusts it lap by lap during the Grand Prix. Last updated: 4 Jul 2026, 01:07 ### Join our FREE weekly F1 Newsletter Enter your email address & confirm your subscription You've already signed up, Thanks! 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