[niky]

The narrower a tire's footprint, the better it resists hydroplaning, though I suppose that not all tires will lift off the road in the same way, and it depends on what your door sticker pressures are. Lots of new cars require higher pressures than before, but there are still benefits. Of course, when I say overinflation, I mean inflating to the maximum sidewall pressure, which is usually higher than door sticker.

As for cornering, maybe I should retract that. Higher inflation doesn't increase grip, but it improves response. Definitely a must for taller tires on the track, as they roll over dangerously onto the sidewalls at stock inflation pressures and change direction sluggishly through switchbacks. Many performance tires are perfectly fine at regular pressures, though. stiffer sidewalls.