Improved Wear model to change how the tyre wears throughout its life. The model has increased by roughly a 1/3 from the release version (this is how the wear is modelled not the wear rate its self)
Generally speaking
Softer compounds have high performance but drops off quickly, most suffer with a cliff edge at some point in its life
Harder Compounds do not have the performance of the softer tyre but drop off more slowly. Most dont have a cliff edge.
Each Tyre compound has its own 3 stage life
Brand New - A short lived high performance stage. Will allow 1 or possibly 2 laps at full pace for qualifying. After which a decrease in performance will make flying laps harder. For races fitting a brand new set of tyres will allow jumping in pit stops.
This is much more evident in softer compounds.
Mid life - The main stage life of the tyre. This is how the tyre will perform over most of its life. The length of this stage is dependant on the compound.
End of Life - Different for each compound. Softer compounds have a cliff edge, harder compounds more of a gradual decline in performance.
Due to the changes in version 1 and 2 then as each separate tyre reaches the different stages of life, driving becomes more challenging. Managing the tyres is now even more important.
Changes effect the AI too. You will see many different strategies down the grid.
Only tested on 50% so feedback from other race distance welcome.
Andy