WEC – The No. 8 Toyota can thank the hybrid tire

Michelin's hybrid tire (this intermediate, smooth, but made of such soft rubber that it works when the film of water on the track is not too heavy), has shown itself to be one of the elements determinants of this opening round of the world championshipEndurance 2014. Those who put it on at the right time, in this case the Toyota n ° 8 of Sébastien Buemi-Anthony Davidson-Nicolas lapierre and Porsche 919 Hybrid n°20 ​​by Timo Bernhard-Brendon Hartley-Mark Webber, reaped the direct benefits: a double for the Japanese manufacturer, and a first podium for the German firm, which returned last weekend to the premier Endurance category after 16 years of absence.

While the two Toyotas rushed into the pit lane at the first drops of rain, Audi asked Lucas Di Grassi to stay on slicks. This resulted a few moments later in the Brazilian going off the track and a first retirement for Audi. In the second Audi, André Lotterer did everything to stay on the track. The Toyotas took off, the Wurz one equipped with rain tires and the Buemi one, equipped with so-called hybrid tires, which ultimately turned out to be the good option.

Physically, the hybrid slick (which replaced the intermediate) is identical to the others. It is smooth and devoid of any sculpture on its tread. But it has a rubber compound that allows cars to maintain a high level of performance when the ground is wet or when it dries out. Due to its specific properties, its first advantage is the stability of a traditional slick (more rubber in contact with the track), while its tread nevertheless offers a level of grip greater than that of a tire. rain, which is also inevitably more messy in support since it is cut up, with the consequences that we know about on the time…

If it rains too much, the hybrid slick is not sculpted, it is no longer able to evacuate the film of water which would stagnate on the tarmac and this is where it reaches its limits. It is therefore over a relatively precise window of use that it offers its potential, within the framework of obvious physical laws.

As a reminder, used, in the greatest secrecy, for the first time at the 6 Hours of Spa, 2012 it allowed the No. 18 Audi R3 ultra from Gené-Duval-Dumas to win the 6 Hours of Spa on his first appearance).

Discover the analysis of the 6 Hours of Silverstone carried out by our special correspondent in issue 1957 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version on all platforms, and on newsstands from tomorrow.