What Is a Tyre Blanket in F1? Warming Explained

Tyre blankets are electrically heated covers placed around Formula 1 tyres before they are fitted to the car. They bring the tyre rubber up to its operating temperature before the car even leaves the garage, reducing the time it takes for a driver to get grip after a pit stop. Without blankets, cold tyres have very little grip and take several laps to reach their working temperature, which can be dangerous. Tyre blankets have been controversial, with regulations at various points proposing or implementing limits on their use.

Example: The mechanics are keeping the tyres in blankets right up until the final seconds before the pit stop.