In 2005, Formula 1 introduced a regulation so weird, so unpopular, and so instantly regretted, it lasted about as long as a Minardi sponsorship deal. The rule? You had to do the whole race on one set of tyres. No changes. No swaps. No pit-lane rubber buffets. Just pick a set and pray it doesn’t disintegrate by lap 30.
Because nothing screams “top-level motorsport” like high-speed tyre management cosplay.
What Changed:
Starting in 2005, the FIA said: No tyre changes during the race, unless they were absolutely necessary for safety (i.e. your rubber is actively exploding).
That meant:
- No pitting for fresh tyres during fuel stops
- No strategic undercuts based on new grip
- No switching compounds mid-race
- Just one set of tyres per car, per Grand Prix
Qualify on them. Start on them. End on them. Hug them. Cry with them. Hope they survive.
Why Did They Do This?
Because F1 was trying to slow the cars down. Again.
The sport was worried about escalating cornering speeds, especially after the tyre war between Michelin and Bridgestone went nuclear. Michelin’s tyres were grippier, and teams were pushing them to the edge. So the FIA thought, “Hey, what if we make the tyres last longer?”
Long-lasting tyres = harder compounds = less grip = slower corner speeds. That was the theory.
Also: cost-saving, reducing pit crew advantage, levelling the playing field. The usual.
What Actually Happened?
Disaster. Glorious, rubber-based disaster.
- Races became tyre nursing parades. Nobody wanted to push early in case they’d be driving on canvas by lap 40.
- Overtaking? Good luck. You can’t out-brake someone if both of you are trying not to shred your left front into linguine.
- Strategy? Gone. Everyone was stuck in tyre jail.
Oh, and let’s not forget the 2005 United States Grand Prix, a.k.a. The Worst Race In History™.
Quick Recap: 2005 US GP Fiasco
- Michelin tyres weren’t safe for Indy’s banked final turn.
- All Michelin teams (14 cars!) pulled out after the formation lap.
- That left 6 cars to race.
- Fans booed. FIA panicked. PR hell broke loose.
It was the one-tyre rule’s lowest moment, and arguably helped kill Michelin’s F1 program.
Who Thrived?
Fernando Alonso and Renault, who had the best blend of car and tyre efficiency, waltzed to both titles. The R25 was easy on its Michelins, while Schumacher and Ferrari (on Bridgestones) spent most of the year looking like they were driving on toast.
The Reversal:
In 2006, the FIA looked around, nodded slowly, and said:
“Yeah… let’s never do that again.”
The rule was scrapped. Tyre changes were back. Compound choice returned. Everyone sighed in relief — except maybe tyre manufacturers, who had to go back to making both hard and soft rubber again.
The Legacy:
2005 remains a weird, lopsided year. Alonso was brilliant, no question — but the tyres shaped everything. And the sport learned a very specific lesson:
Artificial limitations are fun… until nobody’s having fun.
Oh, and always test your tyres on banked corners. Just saying.
