The Qatar Grand Prix schedule has been changed to allow an extra practice session on Saturday ahead of the Sprint Shootout, while maximum stint lengths and a mandatory three-stop race could be imposed due to tire safety concerns.
Following Friday’s practice and qualifying session, Pirelli carried out its usual analysis, and in “tires that have been used for approximately 20 laps” a separation in the sidewall between the topping compound and the carcass cords on many of tires that were checked was discovered.
“It is the view of the FIA and Pirelli that a significant number of additional laps on these tires could result in circumferential damage of the tires with subsequent air loss, and tires analyzed with lower lap numbers showed a much-reduced extent of the issue.
“This issue has likely been caused by the high-frequency interference between the tyre sidewall and the 50mm ‘pyramid’ curbs used extensively at this circuit, aggravated by the propensity to ride those curbs.”
The curbs are new for this year’s race compared to the only previous visit in 2021, while the track has also been resurfaced, and drivers were previously concerned about floor damage if they ran too far wide.
To try and negate the issue, the track limits will be revised at Turn 12 and Turn 13 – where drivers have been runn ing onto them at high speed through the three-part left-hander – with the white line on the exit brought in by 80cm. The gap from the existing exit curb to the new track limit will be painted to make it clear visually for the drivers.