Track tyres: warmers, temperature and getting heat in

Track tyres only work in a temperature window. Most crashes on a cold tyre happen in the first two laps - managing heat is a safety and lap-time issue.

Pressure is set to a HOT target

Track tyres specify a hot running pressure. Because a tyre gains pressure as it heats, you cold-set below the target. With warmers you set the pressure on the warmer at temperature; without warmers you cold-set lower so it climbs into the window once working. The rear typically runs a lower pressure than the front - the opposite of road habits.

With warmers

Warmers (45-60 min) bring the tyre to working temperature in the pits so you can push earlier. Set and check pressure on the warmer just before the session - that is your real number.

Without warmers

Treat the first 2-3 laps as scrub-in: progressive lean, progressive brakes, gentle drive, and weave only if you can do it safely (weaving adds little heat and risks more than it gives). Drop cold pressure slightly (~0.1 bar) on a cold day so the carcass flexes itself warm; accept it will never feel like a hot summer tyre.

Compound to conditions

Match compound to ambient and track temperature - too hard for the day never reaches grip; too soft overheats and greases off. When in doubt for cool days, a softer compound warms faster. Setup is a starting point, never a safety guarantee.