The rate of hypercar development is so rapid that tyre companies face a major challenge to produce products that can cope with the machines’ performance capabilities.
Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre, which is being tested on Ferrari’s FXX K, is fitted with a sensor on the inside that relays info about temperature and tyre distortion in real time to the electronic control systems of the car.
With the use of a precise tyre model, the electronic control systems can instantly calculate the grip capability of each tyre and optimise every relevant vehicle parameter (including the suspension, engine torque output and split, and braking of individual wheels) to increase performance and speed.
Don’t expect to see this technology in normal road car tyres soon because the production (and replacement) costs will be steep.
