Within the R&D systems of Formula 1 (F1) and world-leading touring car & rally championships, tires stand as core components determining lap time and driving safety. What is little known is that nearly all F1 teams, premium tire manufacturers and professional testing institutions employ special steel belts supplied by Austria’s Berndorf Band Group for high-speed tire performance simulation tests.

I. Who is Berndorf Band Group?

Berndorf Band Group is a century-old hidden champion originating from Austria and a global leader in steel belts and steel belt systems. With operations spanning Europe, Asia and the Americas, the Group maintains R&D and service centers across the globe.

II. Racing Tire Test Steel Belt: Core Capabilities

The high-speed test steel belts custom-developed by Berndorf for tire rolling road simulation systems (such as Flat-Trac) act as an “endless race track” inside laboratories. Key parameters and advantages are listed below:       

• ✅ High-speed compatibility: Maximum speed up to 300 km/hStably simulates the actual driving speeds of F1 and top-tier racing vehicles, supporting tests on grip, wear and heat generation of slick and semi-slick tires under extreme operating conditions.

• ✅ Accurate road surface replication: Custom surface textureSpecially treated steel belt surface precisely replicates various track textures (asphalt, worn pavement, wet surface simulation). It enables tires to achieve contact area, pressure distribution and wear patterns consistent with real track conditions during laboratory testing.

• ✅ Ultra-flat surface, high strength & long service lifeManufactured with proprietary NICRO series stainless steel and precision heat treatment processes. The belt features minimal thickness tolerance, excellent straightness and flatness to guarantee vibration-free and deviation-free operation at high speeds. Zero-defect welds enable long-term resistance to heavy loads imposed by racing tires.

• ✅ Flexible specifications: From compact test benches to full-scale simulationStandard dimensions: starting from 1.5 m in length, 200 mm in width and 0.3 mm in thickness. Customizable width up to 2000 mm, covering all scenarios including small tire sample development and coupled wind tunnel & tire testing for complete vehicles.

III. Application Scenarios: Standard R&D Equipment for F1 and Top Motorsport

Berndorf steel belts are mainly deployed in two core scenarios:

1.Tire performance bench testing: On Flat-Trac and other flat-track test systems, accurately quantify key indicators including dry/wet grip, cornering stiffness, wear rate, thermal degradation and durability.

2.Coupled wind tunnel & tire testing: Inside F1 team wind tunnels, the steel belt simulates real road movement to simultaneously test aerodynamics and tire contact coupling effects, optimizing the matching between vehicle downforce and tire load.

Official endorsement: As stated explicitly on Berndorf’s official website: “Winning teams in top motorsport and Formula 1, as well as major global automotive manufacturers, trust Berndorf steel belts.”

IV. Why Berndorf?

• ✅ The world’s only mass-producer of 300 km/h-grade tire test steel belts with high technical barriers and no direct competitors.     

• ✅ Dual patents for material and manufacturing processes: NICRO stainless steel formulation plus endless/spiral welding technology to ensure stability under extreme conditions.   

• ✅ Global service network: European R&D hub and China technical center deliver rapid response to customized demands from motorsport teams and tire manufacturers.

V. Summary

Berndorf high-speed test steel belts serve as the “hidden foundation” for tire performance development in F1 and top-level motorsport. It brings the racetrack into laboratories, enabling precise tire evaluation under extreme speeds up to 300 km/h, which ultimately translates into lap time gains and safety guarantees on track. In the motorsport world pursuing ultimate performance, Berndorf represents precision, high speed and outstanding reliability.

• Enterprise: Berndorf Band (Austria), century-old hidden champion in steel belt industry       

• Product: Special high-speed steel belt for racing tire testing, maximum speed 300 km/h       

• Technology: Custom road surface texture + NICRO stainless steel + zero-defect welds       

• Application: Standard equipment for F1 teams, premium tire manufacturers and wind tunnel laboratories       

• Value: Recreate extreme track conditions in laboratories to accurately test tire grip, wear and thermal degradation