Why are there no grooves in F1 tires?
Why are there no longer grooves in the Pirelli F1 tires. During the Michelin era the grooves were there. How do they affect the performance of the tire?
The grooved tires were introduced in 1998 to reduce the mechanical grip offered by the tires. At that time there were multiple tire providers in the Formula 1 racing series. With a single supplier there is no need for this as FIA can negotiate with a single company on what level of grip they would like to have. This is why the grooves are no longer necessary.