Formula 1
F1's wheel rims made stronger to address loose tyre problems
Formula 1 will fully implement a stronger wheel rim design for 2024 in a move aimed at helping eradicate the recent phenomenon of tyres coming loose after impacts.
Jonathan Noble Ken Tanaka
Edited: Jan 24, 2024, 3:02 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Since 2022, BBS has been the standard supplier of wheel rims for all teams as the FIA sought to help bring down costs for competitors.
One area of key focus for BBS since the start of the current rules era, which included a switch to 18-inch wheels, has been the extreme forces the larger dimension rims suffer in impacts compared to the older, smaller designs.
In particular, the way that rims are more exposed to side forces has triggered damage that has, at times, led to the tyre itself popping off the rim and coming loose.
There have been several incidents in recent years where tyres have come free from the rims as the result of damage sustained in a crash.
At the Brazilian Grand Prix last year, when a tyre came off Alex Albon’s Williams due to a collision just after the start, it flew in the air and hit Daniel Ricciardo’s AlphaTauri.
Throughout 2023, and following a request from the FIA, BBS moved to develop an improved version of its wheel rim design, known as MK2, to strengthen its products.
This was gradually rolled out towards the end of last season when new rims came into play with various unspecified teams after the summer break.
Photo by: BBS Japan
BBS wheel for F1
With BBS and teams satisfied with the performance of the upgraded design, the new tougher wheels will now be standard across the grid for 2024.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, BBS said: “The background of the MK2 development is that compared to the era of 13-inch wheels, 18-inch wheels are subject to greater side impacts from the outer rim of the wheel, resulting in more frequent side impacts and resulting tyre loosening.
“The development was initiated in response to a request from the FIA.”
The new MK2 rims look identical, but have been strengthened considerably to better resist impacts.
“MK2 has no change in spoke shape compared to MK1,” added BBS.
“Fatigue was not a problem with the original design, but the outer rim shape has been strengthened to better handle side impacts.
“The weight has only slightly increased, but the side impact resistance has more than doubled.”
Read Also:
BBS has not just worked on improving the strength of its rims, as there have been developments to boost its visuals too through better coating treatment.
“Paint properties have also improved, but this is largely due to the company's own plant completed at BBS MS,” it added.
“MK1 and MK2 are coated using the same coating engineering technology, but by using the newest facility equipment, the company has been able to improve quality efficiency.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Steiner working on new F1 book after first hit
Next article AlphaTauri F1 team makes switch to new Visa Cash App RB identity
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Dec 28, 2024
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland win LeMullets 2026 in epic finish
General
Misc General 1 h
Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland win LeMullets 2026 in epic finish
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
8 h
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
8 h
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe