As the quality of tyres improve, the gap between the top brands gets smaller and smaller, with just ten points covering the top six tyres.
The Results
Dry: 83.2 seconds
Wet: 69.1 seconds
The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT is a very well balanced tyre. While not the fastest in any test, the steering precision and agility of the tyre makes it a pleasure to drive. Excellent braking and no overheating on the long dry runs.
Total: 225
Dry
141
Wet
84
Dry: 82.6 seconds
Wet: 69.2 seconds
The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 is one of the best in the dry, with a high level of grip and good high speed stability. When wet, the steering feel is still excellent but it lacks some of the ultimate grip of the top wet runners.
Total: 222
Dry
139
Wet
83
Dry: 83.2 seconds
Wet: 68.2 seconds
Great aquaplaning results, very good wet braking and a good wet laptime making the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 a wet specialist. Slightly softer than the Dunlop, the Goodyear understeers a little earlier than the Dunlop in the dry.
Total: 219
Dry
132
Wet
87
Dry: 82.9 seconds
Wet: 67.6 seconds
The Continental Sport Contact 5 is the strongest tyre in the test for wet performance. Unfortunately, in the dry tests the Sport Contact 5 overheated fairly quickly, with dry laptimes degrading and the tyre wearing quickly.
Total: 218
Dry
120
Wet
98
Dry: 82.3 seconds
Wet: 68.7 seconds
Second best in the dry, the Nokian Z Line takes abuse well with no signs of overheating. Good grip in the wet, but load changes are fairly snappy and the wet braking and aquaplaning performance was a little behind the top 4.
Total: 217
Dry
139
Wet
78
Dry: 82.8 seconds
Wet: 69.3 seconds
Excellent dry handling with good steering precision and an agile response. Sporty too in the wet, with a good balance. Average aquaplaning properties knock the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 2 down to 6th.
Total: 216
Dry
135
Wet
81
Dry: 83.6 seconds
Wet: 69.0 seconds
While the P Zero pattern is starting to show its age, it's still an excellent wet weather tyre. Quick steering with lots of feedback in the dry leaves the Mercedes a little twitchy at the limit. Average aquaplaning result.
Total: 213
Dry
130
Wet
83
Dry: 83.7 seconds
Wet: 69.9 seconds
Like the Pirelli, the S001 is starting to show its age and scores mid table in all tests.
Total: 207
Dry
129
Wet
78
Dry: 81.6 seconds
Wet: 69.6 seconds
Fastest tyre in the dry with good steering precision but the wet performance keeps the Vorti out of the top group as it drops a few points in aquaplaning and braking.
Total: 203
Dry
136
Wet
67
Dry: 83.8 seconds
Wet: 72.5 seconds
Good in the dry tests, but falls behind in the wet tests with a lack of grip and sharp twitchy handling.
Total: 180
Dry
129
Wet
51