Graining occurs when small pieces of rubber tear away from the surface of a Formula 1 tyre and then stick back onto it, forming a rough, uneven layer. It typically happens when tyres are used before they have reached their ideal operating temperature, causing the surface to tear rather than wear smoothly. Graining results in a temporary loss of grip that can last several laps until the car’s heat burns the loose rubber away. It is most common in cool conditions or after a safety car period.
Example: He’s complaining of graining on the front-left — he’ll need a couple of laps for it to clean itself up.
Graining is a surface-level problem that can recover on its own as the tyre heats up; blistering is a deeper structural problem caused by overheating that does not recover.
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