During qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas reached 316 kph - nearly 200 mph - on the back straight of the Shanghai circuit.He did this using the Pirelli Cinturato Green intermediate tyre, in conditions so wet that visibility was minimal because of the spray coming from the surrounding cars. As usual, he was on wide F1 tyres, which makes the avoidance of aquaplaning a real challenge, unlike road cars.And yet Bottas, at only the start of his second season in Formula One, achieved this feat using a tyre that is not even meant for the very wettest conditions. With a tread depth of just 2.5mm, the intermediate tyre is capable of evacuating 25 litres of water a second per tyre...
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