Qatar GP confirms tire changes after FIA spots Issues
During the first day of the Qatar Grand Prix, serious tire issues were detected. This resulted in changes for the rest of the weekend.
Pirelli’s analysis after the initial practice found that many of the tires had a “separation in the sidewalls between the topping compound and the carcass cords.” This issue was believed to be caused by the harsh curbs at the Lusail International Circuit. The FIA and Pirelli agree that more laps on these tires could lead to significant damage and air loss.
FIA on Twitter: “FIA Statement – Treatment of tyres for the 2023 FIA Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix https://t.co/ETjfhJSGbO / Twitter”
FIA Statement – Treatment of tyres for the 2023 FIA Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix https://t.co/ETjfhJSGbO
To prevent this, the FIA has taken measures such as revising track limits at Turns 12 and 13. They also provided a 10-minute familiarization session for drivers. If the problem persists, a directive will be issued that limits tire life to 20 laps for new tires and 22 laps for used tires in the race. This will require a minimum three-stop strategy for all drivers. Pirelli and the FIA will work on finding a permanent solution to avoid this issue in the future.
As we reported earlier in the week, temperatures will be into the 100s, further challenging the tires for their durability. Max Verstappen won the pole position on Friday, and we urged you to take his -450 bet on our weekly Thursday night talk show. Verstappen is a clear favorite in this race.