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Grip

 

Grip is a consequence of molecular contact that can be measured to an incredibly small degree - about one hundredth of a micron - and is amplified when a car slides. Grip is created by molecular interaction at the point of contact between a tire and the track. When the tire is moving, part of the tread is physically touching the surface at a given point and its molecules extend until contact is broken.

Tire grip is generated by two mechanisms, sometimes referred to as physical grip and chemical grip. The first process involves the shear deformation of the contact patch, whilst the second involves the coefficient of friction of the tire. The internal stress response to shear deformation depends upon the shear modulus of the tire, which is temperature dependent, and the friction coefficient is dependent on both tire temperature and slip velocity. So both mechanisms by which grip is generated, are temperature dependent.

We can explain a grip as amount of traction a car can transfer on track trough contact between tires and road, and traction car has at any given point, thus affecting how easy it is for the driver to keep control through corners, during braking or accelerations. Grip depends of track condition, temperature of track or tires, and tire compound used as well as car global set-up. Available grip is finite value for certain part of the track.

It's well known that F1 drivers used to say that during Friday free practice, track condition (or grip) is not good, or that later during session track condition will "come to them". That mean that track condition (read grip) will improve as more rubber is laid on the track and dust, send and dirt is cleaned from tack by passing cars.
Same is valid when they say that they can't get rubbers work properly, they can't get proper temperature to the tires and so on. All that mean - "I don't have enough grip"

Grip also depend, as I sad before, how good is your global car setup, aerodynamical efficiency of your car, aerodynamical grip, mechanical balance, brake balance, car downforce, dynamic weight distribution, ride height, suspension setup and a combination of all that.
A lot to think about for a race engineer and driver.

 

More about tire and how the grip is created, read here.

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Some useful links:

Technical
- f1technical.net, a great site with a lot of technical information’s and explanations. Site is updated daily with news from F1 word.

Autosport
 - autosport.com, This site is a legend. A bible for racing lovers. News from all around the word. Unfortunately, to get access to all news, interviews and to open the site completely you should be subscribed to Autosport magazine. Anyway, great read.

Formula 1 Results
- Check the latest Formula 1 race results here. Follow Formula 1 live results, final race results, practice, warm-up and qualifying times on Flashscore!

Joe Saward blog
- joesaward is the Joe Saward official blog about Formula 1 world. Joe is an journalist, who write primarily about politics in and around motorsport, specifically on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship

Planet F1
 - planetf1, another site with many different articles, news and statistics. Biased toward British teams, but anyway good read.

Gurney flap
 - gurneyflap.com, Great history site. You can learn a lot from this site. Pictures, cars and many many more. Great.

4mula1
-
4ormula1 is a database of Formula 1 history and statistics of drivers, teams, grand prix, and all results since 1950.

Missed Apex Podcast
Enjoy range of Podcasts and Articles on Motorsport. Every week a Formula one chat on Missed Apex F1 Podcast with F1 journalist Joe Saward and tech Analyst Matthew Somerfield as guests. Also the exciting all electric racing series formula E on eRadio Show and Bike Show Lean Angle Podcast.

Racecar engineering
-Racecar Engineering, an online magazine with a lot to learn from, a lot of technical information’s and explanations

FIA
 - fia.com, La Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, representing the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users. Head organisation and ruler in auto sport.

Wikipedia
 - wikipedia.org, I don’t believe that I have to tell you anything about this site. It’s not about Formula 1 technology, but you can learn a lot about that too.

Sutton Images

grandprix photo

Vehicle freak
Another site for us normal people. Lots of tips, tricks and "What Happens if" related to the maintenance of all types of vehicles and its components. It's worth a visit.

Dare To Be Different
- Daretobedifferent.org Susie Wolff and UK governing body of UK motorsport have joined forces to launch Dare To Be Different, a high-profile new initiative which is about increasing female participation, not just on the track but in all aspects of the sport.

Giorgio Piola web site