Tyres to be marked for identification

The FIA has made a late addition to the sporting regulations to ensure that different tyre compounds can be distinguished between when the car is on track. A yet to be confirmed system of marking the tyres will be bought in so that spectators can see which compounds ('hard' or 'soft') teams are using and help them understand what strategies might be in play.

"Each tyre supplier must undertake to provide no more than two specifications of dry-weather tyre at each Event, each of which must be of one homogenous compound and visibly distinguishable from one another when a car is on the track," said the newly revised section in regard to tyre supply.

The marking of tyres has been a much debated topic in recent months; some were for it but some against, with the argument that it would give away strategy to rivals. However, the FIA stated that in the last few days the teams had unanimously agreed on the new regulation. Bridgestone is the sole supplier this year.

It is thought that the softer compound will be the one that is marked. It was previously suggested that Bridgestone might opt to follow the system used in Champ Car, where the tyre sidewalls are red, but it's likely that a simpler way of marking the tyres, such as a white circle, will be employed.

The problem with marking F1 tyres, such as in the Champ Car way, is that it can depend on the circuit. What is a soft option at one track may be harder at another, which would lead to complications in distinguishing marks.