Goodyear tyre freedom promises intense action at Silverstone

The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) arrives at Silverstone’s National Circuit this weekend, where Goodyear tyre choices will play a pivotal role across rounds 25, 26 and 27 of the season. The fast-paced short layout at the legendary home of British motorsport presents unique challenges with its predominantly right-hand layout and blistering pace through high-speed Copse.

Drivers will receive one set of Goodyear's white-stickered soft compound tyres and two sets of the yellow-stickered medium compound tyres for the weekend races. Additionally, teams can deploy up to three sets of carryover tyres from previous events, with freedom of compound choice in qualifying.

Silverstone's compact national configuration creates a unique technical challenge, featuring predominantly right-hand corners with just one left-hander. This layout demands specialist setup approaches that maximise tyre performance through the circuit's distinctive characteristics.

Michael Butler, Goodyear's BTCC Event Leader, explains the weekend's strategic elements: "Silverstone presents one of our most fascinating technical challenges of the season. The circuit's right-hand bias means teams must optimise their Goodyear tyres for sustained lateral loading, particularly through the rapid section from Woodcote, through Copse, Maggotts and onto the Wellington Straight. The short lap time intensifies everything, so race strategies become even more critical.

"The carryover tyre freedom adds another compelling strategic dimension. Teams can select from their accumulated compound inventory and deploy these tactically in qualifying. With Silverstone notorious for producing some of the closest racing of the season, every marginal gain from tyre strategy could prove decisive."

Talking to Goodyear at the start of the season, Árón Taylor-Smith (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) explained Silverstone’s unique setup philosophy: "Silverstone is a really odd one. You only set the car up to turn right because there's only one left hander. You'll have loads of negative camber on the outside left for mid-corner grip, but the inside right will be stood upright for traction and braking. The setup is really different compared to any other track."

The intensity of racing at Silverstone amplifies the importance of tyre performance. Taylor-Smith described the racing dynamic: "To drive, I describe it as frantic because in a race, you're never more than a car length ahead or behind. You're always nose to tail because the simplicity of the track makes the racecraft that little bit more exciting. The racecraft is what makes or breaks you, and makes you win or lose."

Tom Chilton wins Goodyear Wingfoot Award at Donington GP

Tom Chilton (Team VERTU) managed to snatch pole last time out at Donington Park from his teammate Tom Ingram, who is currently leading the season-long Goodyear Wingfoot Award standings, and will look to strategically choose his tyres in Silverstone to extend his lead.

Being the penultimate round of the season, the battle for the Goodyear Wingfoot Award is even more fierce than in previous rounds, and the strategy around the free choice of carryover tyres in qualifying will make all the difference.

Tom Ingram will want to use his tyres strategically as he has the opportunity to bring the season-long Goodyear Wingfoot Award home at Silverstone. The Hyundai i30 star has led the Goodyear Wingfoot Award standings since taking pole position at Oulton Park in June, and has maintained momentum through the season, not qualifying any lower than fourth position at any event so far this year. He leads the standings by 14 points from Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) heading into the Silverstone weekend.

The Goodyear Wingfoot Award rewards the fastest qualifying lap at each round. Drivers accumulate points based on their qualifying results throughout the season, with the highest scorer ultimately crowned the 2025 Goodyear Wingfoot Award winner.

Track action at Silverstone kicks off on Saturday 20th September, ahead of the three races on Sunday 21st.

Goodyear Wingfoot Award standings: