I got an F1 tire, who raced it?

Hey everyone. I got my hands on this tire recently and have been playing detective in regards to its history. Now, this is all VERY circumstantial but I had fun researching. I’ve posted this over at f1technical and got some good tips already.

But maybe someone here has a better understanding of the markings on such tires and can validate/invalidate my following research:

These tires (non-grooved slick, 26.0×13.0-13, yellow lettering) were in use between 1993 and 1997

Code on the tire implies a production date of June 1993

There are two numbers sprayed on – #5 and #19 in a stencil lettering

I found this specific type of lettering on photos from the Belgian GP in 1993 and 1994, only on dry tires. 1993 had an additional stencil for the car number in a different typeface, so I’m going to concentrate on 1994. 1995 didn’t have these markings by the way and other GPs from 93/94 used different style stencils.

Judging by the limited amount of photos where the stencils are readable, one of the numbers corresponds to the car number, the other one is unknown.

That leaves me with the conclusion that this tire was used during the 1994 Belgian GP weekend by either car #5 (Schumacher) or #19 (Gaillot).

Next, I looked through the photos to see if the position of the number (after the „Goodyear“ or after the „Eagle“ means anything. Inconclusive. On the TV broadcast of the qualifying, the #5 on Schumacher’s front right tire is located after the „Eagle“ (same as on my tire).

One photo from the 1995 Belgian GP allows a good look at one of Johnny Herbert’s tire with a handwritten number next to the direction arrow that looks very much like the writing on this tire (mine says „223“, in the photo it’s „202“ and the distinct looking „2s“ are very similar, so it might have been marked by the same person at Benetton.

Now, for the next part I’m just going to assume that the tire was used in the race because there’s limited footage of practice available and qualifying was almost fully wet:

Gaillot retired on lap 11 which would indicate a lesser amount of wear. I’m no expert but it looks like the tire isn’t worn that much. That speaks for the tire being from car #19.

BUT it has a pretty big flat spot. Schumacher spun during the race which might be the cause of said flat spot.

In conclusion: It’s an F1 tire, of that I am sure. It’s been used in the Belgian GP weekend of 1994, I’m like 90 % sure. Other than that:

Worst case scenario: I have an actual F1 tire that was used by Philippe Gaillot in one the sessions. Sounds like a win to me.

Best case scenario: I own a tire from the set on which Schumacher had the spin that lead to his disqualification from the race. Now that would be something else.

Thanks everyone 🙂