In a candid interaction with Tyre Trends, freelance tyre testing specialist Juuli Raatikainen shares her views on the intricacies of tyre testing, the role of women in the industry, simulation and the road ahead, reports Nilesh Wadhwa.

“Women have been driving cars for decades, so why not be part of the tyre and automotive testing industry? I believe the bigger question and challenge is how the industry (tyre and automotive) can think beyond gender. The tyre testing industry is huge, but there are not many direct studies to learn about it and become part of it,” remarked Juuli Raatikainen, the 28-year-old test driver and mechanic who has been offering freelance services for tyre testing for the last four years.

INITIAL JOURNEY

It is no secret that tyre testing is not a widely known field. A simple internet search for the world’s top 10 racers or motorsport celebrities will return mostly male sports personalities.

For Raatikainen, the journey into tyre testing began as a test assistant in Lapland, Finland.

“I started my career as a test assistant. My passion for testing grew, and I was eager to learn more, working hard to gain knowledge. My efforts were noticed, and I received the necessary support. The decision to start my own company and operate as a freelancer was quite easy for me. In the first two years, I focused on gaining experience, testing time and learning as much as possible. I wanted to see tyre testing from different angles, companies and drivers. Today, I am happy to say that I have experience in tyre testing operations as a tyre mechanic, test assistant, instrumentation specialist and objective test driver. I am also engaged in testing tyres and vehicles for events and magazines,” she shared.

THE EVOLVING ROLE OF TYRE TESTING

Tyre testing has evolved over the years, from physical and mechanical assessments to indoor methods, including Tyre-in-the-Loop (TiL) testing, a form of hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) simulation. However, despite technological advancements, many tests still need to be conducted in real-world conditions to determine optimal solutions.

For example, a vehicle travelling in a sandy environment at a particular tyre pressure will have different braking times even at the same speed. The steering response, traction at different corners and slippage will also vary.

“I find simulators to be a good tool for all drivers and for hardware development. However, no one knows exactly how they will impact testing in the future. Many questions remain, and some conditions and types of tests cannot yet be simulated accurately. As a test driver, my main expertise is in winter testing. From my experience, winter conditions are particularly difficult to replicate artificially. Winter is a living, breathing element of nature, making it hard to forecast, as conditions can change very quickly,” she explained.

For tyre manufacturers, real-world testing is essential for finding the right conditions and weather. For instance, summer tyres cannot be tested in winter, nor can Nordic spike tyres be tested in warm conditions. “It is a challenge for companies to run tyre tests year-round and across different locations. Agility is key,” Raatikainen added.

Tyre testing falls into two main categories: objective and subjective. Objective testing relies on instruments to assess tyre performance, while subjective testing depends on the driver’s evaluation.

“As a freelancer, I work across different processes. Transparency with clients is my priority. It’s about what I do and how I do it. Trust is one of the key values I bring to the table,” she explained.

KEY LEARNINGS & TYRE SAFETY

As a test driver, Raatikainen has firsthand experience of how tyre choices impact performance and safety in different conditions.

“Statistics show that one of the most common mistakes drivers make is using the wrong type of tyres for their environment and weather conditions. When selecting tyres, it’s crucial to consider two key questions: Where will I be driving, and in what weather conditions? These simple considerations can significantly impact safety,” she added.

Most tyres have a wear indicator on the tread to signal when they need replacement, but these warnings are often ignored.

According to data from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), India recorded 461,312 road accidents in 2022, resulting in 155,781 fatal cases. Despite tyres having a significant influence on vehicular control, they are rarely cited as a primary cause of accidents.

When replacing tyres, it is also crucial to check their manufacturing date. Raatikainen emphasises that even a ‘new’ tyre must be evaluated based on its production date, as rubber degrades over time, regardless of use.

“Regularly checking tyre condition is just as important as choosing the right type. Ensure tyres have adequate tread depth, are free from cracks or bulges and are properly inflated. These simple maintenance habits can extend tyre life and improve safety,” she added.

FUTURE TRENDS IMPACTING THE TYRE INDUSTRY

New-age vehicles and tightening regulations are pushing industry players towards sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint.

For the tyre industry, environmentally friendly sourcing, production and materials remain key focus areas. From a tester’s perspective, what does the future hold?

“I am excited about advancements in simulation technology and their impact on the tyre industry. Another major trend is the growing emphasis on indoor testing for winter tyres, which addresses unpredictable weather challenges and helps distribute testing workloads more efficiently,” she said.

A third emerging trend is smart tyre technology.

“While modern vehicles are equipped with advanced systems, tyres have yet to integrate similar innovations. The questions of when this technology will arrive, how it will develop and what features it will bring are incredibly exciting. I look forward to seeing how smart tyres will enhance safety, performance and the driving experience,” Raatikainen concluded.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Infiniteria, the tyre recycling joint venture backed by Scandinavian Enviro Systems, Antin Infrastructure Partners and Michelin, has named Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren as its new chief executive as the company moves into a phase of industrial expansion.

Ryttberg-Wallgren, who has taken up the role on 1 December, succeeds Stefano Madeddu. She most recently served as chief growth officer at Stegra, a Swedish green steel venture. Her earlier career includes senior positions at PIAB, Yara International, Sandvik and Sapa, giving her broad experience in scaling industrial operations internationally.

The appointment signals a shift in leadership priorities at Infiniteria, with an emphasis on what the company describes as “industrial logic and value creation”. Announcing the move, Anand Jagannathan, senior partner at Antin Infrastructure Partners’ NextGen strategy, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren as CEO of Infiniteria. She offers a strong combination of Swedish industrial experience, a track-record in international expansion and strong sustainability credentials, all of which are highly relevant for Infiniteria and the journey ahead of us.”

Enviro is developing a full-scale tyre recycling plant near Uddevalla on Sweden’s west coast, expected to be Infiniteria’s inaugural site. The venture aims to build additional facilities across Europe to process end-of-life tyres using Enviro’s patented pyrolysis technology, which breaks down materials for reuse in industrial applications. The partners say the process will support circular production models and reduce carbon emissions in sectors heavily reliant on fossil-derived inputs.

The expansion plans place Infiniteria among several European initiatives seeking to commercialise advanced recycling technologies as regulators push for higher material recovery rates and lower industrial emissions.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers will recognise two long-serving leaders at its annual meeting next year. Dr Elizabeth Delzell will receive the IISRP General Award, while Dr Irina Yurovska will be presented with the organisation’s Technical Award. Both honours will be given on 15 April 2026 at the group’s 66th Annual General Meeting in Houston, Texas.

Dr Delzell is an epidemiologist whose research has shaped global understanding of chemical exposure in industrial settings. She earned degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard University before holding academic posts at Duke University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Over three decades, she published more than 200 papers and led work funded by IISRP and several major companies and agencies.

Her landmark study in the North American synthetic rubber industry identified 1,3-butadiene as a cause of human leukaemia. The finding influenced national and international rules on chemical safety. Her research also linked synthetic rubber work to bladder cancer and helped assess cancer risks from styrene exposure.

Dr Yurovska, the recipient of the Technical Award, has held leadership roles across the tyre, rubber and chemicals sectors. She trained as a chemist and engineer in the former Soviet Union and later completed a PhD in polymer physics and mechanics. After moving to the United States in 1991, she worked at Teknor Apex, Precix, Cabot Corporation, SI Group and Himadri, rising to Global Vice President of Technical Service.

She holds more than 80 patents and has published widely on polymer compounding, rubber additives and testing methods. Her work has informed advances in rubber technology used across the global industry. She now runs YIGlobal, a consulting company based in Texas, and remains active in the ACS Rubber Division.

The IISRP said both award recipients have made long-lasting contributions to science and the synthetic rubber industry. The organisation highlighted their influence on regulation, product development and talent mentoring across several decades.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Nokian Tyres has named Formula 1 legend Kimi Räikkönen as its newest brand ambassador. This strategic partnership unites two Finnish powerhouses celebrated for excelling under extreme pressure. The company, a world expert in tyres for harsh conditions, aligns perfectly with Räikkönen, the famously cool and accomplished champion known as ‘The Iceman’.

For Nokian, this collaboration is a move to significantly amplify its international recognition. The brand gains a universally respected figure whose persona embodies the resilience and high performance intrinsic to its products. Räikkönen, whose celebrated career includes 21 Grand Prix victories and a World Championship, brings immense credibility and a global following.

Räikkönen notes a personal connection to the iconic Finnish brand, remembering it from his earliest days in motorsport. In his role, he will actively promote Nokian Tyres' capabilities to a worldwide audience, helping to convey their expertise in mastering the most demanding driving conditions on the planet.

Räikkönen said, “Perfect match, great to start working with Nokian Tyres, a brand I remember from the days when my parents drove me to karting tracks, before I even had a driver's license. In my opinion Nokian Tyres is an iconic Finnish brand, I'm excited to start spreading the good news about the great tyres to the world.”

Tiina Frazer, VP for Brand, Marketing and Communications at Nokian Tyres, said, “Some collaborations just make sense, and this is one of them. Kimi Räikkönen and Nokian Tyres share the same DNA: Finnish roots, uncompromising performance and the ability to thrive under pressure. Both are built for extremes – whether it’s conquering the racetrack or navigating roads in changing conditions and harsh weather.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bridgestone will introduce two new premium passenger car tyres in Japan next year, expanding its Potenza line as demand grows for products that offer both high performance and everyday usability. The company said it will release the Potenza RE-71RZ and Potenza Adrenalin RE005 in February 2026, with 61 and 40 sizes available respectively.

The RE-71RZ is positioned as a high-grip tyre for drivers who want strong performance on both circuits and public roads. Bridgestone said the model delivers faster lap times and better handling than its predecessor, the RE-71RS. At the Tsukuba Circuit 2000, the company recorded a 1.2% improvement in lap time compared with the previous model.

Professional drivers Masahiro Sasaki and Yuji Tachikawa supported the development work. Sasaki said, “As its strong point, ‘POTENZA RE-71RZ’ achieves a high level of performance in both grip and controllability. It delivers improved dry and wet performance for street use, while also achieving faster lap times and better wear resistance on the circuit. This tire delivers high performance in various situations, making it enjoyable and easy to handle for both everyday driving and circuit use.”

Tachikawa added, “This tire is designed for easy handling, allowing anyone to experience precise control along with excellent grip. The tire is focused on quick warm-up for immediate, high-grip performance as well as reliable wet grip, resulting in a well-balanced tire suitable for various driving conditions.”

Bridgestone said the RE-71RZ uses a new compound developed with motorsport know-how and its NanoPro-Tech technology, as well as a redesigned tread pattern and structure aimed at improving grip and wear resistance.

The Potenza Adrenalin RE005 targets a broader range of vehicles, including everyday passenger cars. It is intended for drivers seeking sharper handling in daily use while maintaining fuel efficiency and ride comfort. All 40 sizes meet the “A” grade for wet performance under Japan’s tyre standards, and 19 sizes also achieve an “A” grade for rolling resistance.

The company said the tyre offers stable handling at higher speeds, cornering confidence and better wet braking, supported by upgraded compounds, an A-shaped tread motif and structural changes that reduce energy loss.

Both products are expected to be sold in overseas markets after their launch in Japan.

Bridgestone said the new tyres reflect its long-running approach of using technologies developed in motorsport to improve products for road use. The company added that the Potenza brand will continue to support “safe and enjoyable car and motorsports culture” as part of its long-term E8 Commitment.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!