Formula 1 Ends Era of ‘Extreme’ Conditions After Safety Concerns

Formula 1 is set to move on from its problematic extreme wet tyre, a compound that has frustrated drivers and teams alike since the start of the sport’s new ground-effect era in 2022.

Over the past three seasons, the so-called extreme wet tyre has been used sparingly — and when it has appeared, it’s drawn consistent criticism from drivers for its lack of performance and safety. Designed to handle heavy rain with its deeper grooves and water displacement capability, the tyre has nevertheless struggled under the aerodynamic demands of modern F1 machinery.

Poor Visibility and Safety Concerns

The biggest issue with the extreme wet tyre isn’t grip — it’s visibility.
Since the introduction of ground-effect cars in 2022, F1 cars have generated enormous amounts of spray, creating what drivers have described as a “wall of water” behind them. The spray makes it nearly impossible for drivers to see beyond a few metres in front, particularly in high-speed sections.

Although the extreme wet is engineered to clear more water than the intermediate tyre, it hasn’t provided sufficient safety margins. As a result, race control has often avoided deploying it altogether, opting instead for intermediates when conditions allow.

A recent example came at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, where torrential rain ahead of the race raised expectations that the blue-striped extreme wet would finally be used. Teams had the tyres ready in the garages, but race control delayed the start until the conditions were suitable for intermediates. Even then, four formation laps were run behind the safety car before the race began under a rolling start.

Pirelli Admits the Tyre’s Future Looks Bleak

In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director Mario Isola admitted that the extreme wet’s days appear numbered.

“In Spa, we knew it [the use of the extreme wet] was not going to happen,” Isola said. “It’s a track where you have high-speed sections that can be dangerous. Nobody wants to take risks for the drivers.”

Isola added that the core issue isn’t just the tyre itself, but the aerodynamic design of current F1 cars, which produce massive spray from the diffuser and underfloor.

“It’s impossible to change the situation this year,” he explained. “The cars generate a lot of water spray from the floor, and that can’t be fixed under the current regulations.”

He noted that even at Silverstone, where intermediate tyres worked well in wet conditions, visibility was still a major concern.

Regulation Changes Offer Hope for Future

Looking ahead, Isola expressed cautious optimism that next year’s cars — and the upcoming 2026 regulation overhaul — could alleviate the problem.

“Next year, the cars will be different,” he said. “We’ll need to understand how much spray comes from the car and the tyres. The tyres will be slightly smaller, so maybe that will help reduce spray.”

However, he also acknowledged that the extreme wet tyre might not be used again this season.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure we’ll see the X wet again, because the level of spray it produces is extremely high and compromises visibility,” Isola said. “Once water levels exceed the crossover point between the intermediate and the wet, it’s usually time to red-flag the session.”

The End of an Era for the ‘Extreme Wet’

The move effectively marks the end of the extreme wet era in Formula 1 — a compound that, despite its intentions, never achieved widespread trust among drivers. As the sport continues its technological evolution, the focus is shifting toward ensuring safety without sacrificing competitiveness.

While 2026’s regulation changes may offer a new approach to wet-weather racing, one thing appears certain: F1’s current generation of drivers has likely seen the last of the controversial extreme wet tyre.