• Login
  • Register
Speedcafe.com
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • PODS
  • PHOTOS
  • RESULTS
  • NETWORK 100
No Result
View All Result
  • SUPERCARS
  • F1
  • MOTOGP
  • NASCAR
  • INDYCAR
  • GT & ENDURANCE
  • KARTING
  • RALLY
  • CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • PODS
  • PHOTOS
  • RESULTS
  • NETWORK 100
No Result
View All Result
  • Feed
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Photos
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
Speedcafe.com
  • Supercars
  • F1
  • NASCAR
  • IndyCar
  • GT & Endurance
  • Karting
  • Bikes
  • Rally
Home Supercars

Supercars to rethink wet race rules

Daniel Herrero
Daniel Herrero
6 Apr 2023
Daniel Herrero
//
6 Apr 2023
// Supercars
A A
0
Supercars to rethink wet race rules

Pit stops came into focus at Albert Park when wet weather declarations opened a tyre loophole. Picture: Ross Gibb Photography

Pit stops came into focus at Albert Park when wet weather declarations opened a tyre loophole. Picture: Ross Gibb Photography

Supercars will rethink the controversial wet-weather tyre rules, looking to close the loophole that allowed teams to ignore the mixed compound requirement at Albert Park.

The four sprint races at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix were scheduled as compulsory changes between the hard and super soft rubber.

But amid pre-race drizzle, the Thursday and Friday races were declared ‘wet’, allowing any tyre choice and changing the compulsory pit stop requirement.

Several teams, led by Triple Eight Race Engineering and Erebus Motorsport, took advantage of the ambiguity, changing just two tyres – still super-softs – in their CPS instead of all four.

As the rules stand, for any any race declared ‘wet’ before the start, no matter the subsequent conditions, teams can vary their tyre use from the intended format at will.

The confusion at Albert Park is unlikely to happen this year as there are no more events mixing hard and super soft tyres.

Win a $2,460 ACDelco pro-grade power tools pack built for real work this summer - One day only! Enter now.

For the rest of the series, only soft and super soft rubber will be used, even at the Bathurst 1000.

But in the future, Supercars Head of Motorsport Adrian Burgess agreed that wet tyre race allowances needed to be more controlled.

“We’ll review it,” he told Speedcafe. “I think we need to.”

Mark Dutton, Team Manager at Triple Eight, is not so sure that the rules need to be tightened.

Shane van Gisbergen drives down pit lane after his stop. Picture: Ross Gibb Photography

Triple Eight Race Engineering was among the teams to spot the loophole. Picture: Ross Gibb Photography

“It’s a tough one and I try not to be biased but it’s worked for us, and it brings in variability,” he told Speedcafe.

“What do we always talk about? We want some variability in racing, and it’s really hard to do.

“I don’t know if it’s necessarily something that needs to be changed for the future. It can quite easily be changed in the rulebook to warrant that, but I like the variability.

“We started on super softs so if it didn’t happen to be declared, then we had to change all four; doesn’t actually hurt you. It’s still the best strategy unless there’s a Safety Car, then it’s not the best strategy.

“It’s not a clear-cut being declared wet necessarily makes or breaks your race; there are other factors that go into it.

“So, that’s where the complication and the risk and the decision all the teams have to make brings in that variability, so that’s what I think is a good thing.”

Technical staff will make a submission to the rule-advising Supercars Commission, which is next due to meet on April 13.

Any changes will then go to the Supercars board for approval and implementation.

The wholesale exploitation of the mixed tyre rules at Albert Park, despite being legal, defies the intention of the regulation.

It was always meant to give teams options in extreme weather, not to exploit in marginal conditions.

In the wake of the Albert Park aberration, Supercars is set to more clearly define wet races and tyre management.

Speedcafe Network 100 - logo representing the directory of leading suppliers to the motorsport industry in Australia

List your business today!

Simplex Elevators logo: Blue geometric shapes with "SIMPLEX ELEVATORS" in bold black text below.

Simplex Elevators

General Business Services

Founded in 1976, Simplex Elevators is one of Australia’s most trusted independent elevator companies, providing premium lift solutions backed by decades of technical expertise and industry leadership. 100% Australian-owned and operated, we pride ourselves on...

Founded in 1976, Simplex Elevators is one of Australia’s most trusted independent elevator companies, providing premium lift solutions backed by decades of technical expertise and...

Discussion about this post

[postcode_search_form]

Latest from Torquecafe

Lexus LFA returns… with a shocking twist

05 December 2025

Toyota’s super Supra unveiled: GR GT to take on Porsche and AMG

05 December 2025

Latest Podcasts

PODCAST: Mostert’s Supercars crown + Piastri’s F1 title reality

02 December 2025

PODCAST: McLaren unlucky in Vegas + Adelaide Grand Final preview

25 November 2025

Related Articles

Tom Moore with George Commins, Brodie Kostecki, Ed Williams, and Mark Fenning.

DJR undergoes management reshuffle ahead of 2026

Supercars
10 hours ago
Supercars
0

WIN: 14 Days of Christmas – Day 5

Christmas Giveway
11 hours ago
Christmas Giveway
0
Platinum Partner

Latest & Trending News

Rajah Caruth, driver of the #71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, walks the grid during practice for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series LiUNA! 150 at Lime Rock Park on June 27, 2025 in Lakeville, Connecticut. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Rajah Caruth set for first full NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign in 2026

NASCAR US
5 December 2025
NASCAR US
0
Lando Norris was fastest during opening practice in Abu Dhabi. Image: XPB Images

Abu Dhabi GP: Free Practice 1 Results

F1
5 December 2025
F1
0
Lando Norris edged Max Verstappen to top opening practice in Abu Dhabi. Image: XPB Images

Norris tops rookie dominated Abu Dhabi FP1

F1
5 December 2025
F1
0
Hayden Paddon during the 2018 Rally Australia.

Paddon ends eight-year wait with shock WRC return

WRC
5 December 2025
WRC
0
Don't miss a second of the F1 title deciding weekend with the Sportsnet Live Updates.

Sportsnet F1 Live Updates: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

F1
5 December 2025
F1
0
Tigani Motorsport's #66 Mercedes-AMG GT3 driven by Jayden Ojeda and Paul Lucchitti.

What Mercedes-AMG deal means for Tigani and its customers

SRO GT
5 December 2025
SRO GT
0

Advertisement

Pirtek Poll

POLL: Your verdict on the Supercars Finals Series format

Vote View Results Past polls
Pirtek Poll
View past polls
2025 Supercars Championship WINS POLES PTS
1
Chaz Mostert
Mobil 1 Optus Racing
25 4 1 5306
2
Will Brown
Red Bull Ampol Racing
1 2 1 5244
3
Broc Feeney
Red Bull Ampol Racing
88 14 19 5240
4
Kai Allen
Penrite Racing
26 0 0 5233
5
Matthew Payne
Penrite Racing
19 5 1 4461
2025 Formula 1 Championship WINS POLES PTS
1
Lando Norris (GBR)
McLaren
4 7 7 408
2
Max Verstappen (NED)
Red Bull
1 7 7 396
3
Oscar Piastri (AUS)
McLaren
81 7 6 392
4
George Russell (GBR)
Mercedes
63 2 2 309
5
Charles Leclerc (MON)
Ferrari
16 0 1 230
[instagram-feed feed=2]
Support the partners that support Speedcafe
Truck Assist R & J Batteries Pirtek Mobil Super Supercheap Auto Michelin Meguiars coates KTM FORD ACDelco parcelprotect become a partner
AASA PPQ Authentic Collectables sportsnetholidays nuevasolutions bathurst
Green and white "speedcafe." logo on a black background, conveying a racing theme.
Speedcafe.com has been established to provide a daily motorsport news service to the industry and fans in Australia and internationally.
Follow Us

Categories

SUPERCARS

F1

NASCAR

INDYCAR

GT

MOTOGP

PHOTOS

TV

PODS

Platinum Partners

TRUCK ASSIST
R&J BATTERIES
PIRTEK
MOBIL1
SUPERCHEAP AUTO

PARCEL PROTECT

MICHELIN
MEGUIARS

COATES
FORD

ACDELCO

Newsletter

Subscribe to our daily newsletter, the best way to get your news first, fast and free!

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Your daily racing fix - Newsletter

Subscribe to our daily and breaking newsletter for all the latest news delivered direct to your box

SUBSCRIBE
Follow Us

Categories

SUPERCARS

F1

NASCAR

INDYCAR

GT

MOTOGP

PHOTOS

TV

PODS

Platinum Partners

TRUCK ASSIST
R&J BATTERIES
PIRTEK
MOBIL1
SUPERCHEAP AUTO

PARCEL PROTECT

MICHELIN
MEGUIARS

COATES
FORD

XPEL

ACDELCO

Green and white "speedcafe." logo on a black background, conveying a racing theme.

Copyright © 2025 Speedcafe.com. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Our Team    /  Advertise with us  /  Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Event guides
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Network 100

Copyright © 2025 Speedcafe.com This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Event guides
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Network 100

Copyright © 2025 Speedcafe.com This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

[mailpoet_form id=”28″]