The FIA has announced that all drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, could be obliged to make at least three pit stops during Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix as a result of concerns over tyre wear. An extra 10-minute ‘practice familiarisation’ has already been added ahead of the Sprint Shootout on Saturday as tyre-life limits have been imposed.
Analysis from Friday’s practice session has led to governing body the FIA stating that they could enforce a rule that would see all drivers pit a minimum of three times in order to change their tyres.
Pirelli noticed tyre damage following qualifying and have imposed a 20-lap limit for new tyres used in the race, and 22 for used, while track limits have been revised in Turns 12 and 13.
A statement by the FIA said Pirelli had noticed “a separation in the sidewall” when tyres were checked after practice. “Following the standard analysis of tyres used during Free Practice 1 yesterday, in which tyres that have been used for approximately 20 laps are examined by Pirelli to check various safety parameters, a separation in the sidewall between the topping compound and the carcass cords on many of tyres that were checked was discovered,” the statement read.
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“It is the view of the FIA and Pirelli that a significant number of additional laps on these tyres could result in circumferential damage of the tyres with subsequent air loss, and tyres analysed 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’ kerbs used extensively at this circuit, aggravated by the propensity to ride those kerbs.”
More tyre analysis will be made during Saturday’s sprint race that will determine whether further changes could be made for Sunday’s Grand Prix, which could cause chaos as it is a rare step that the sport has taken – teams and drivers are not used to such restrictions.
Verstappen secured pole position yesterday after a chaotic qualifying session, as he looks to take a third consecutive world championship as part of a dominant season for Red Bull.
The two Mercedes in Hamilton and George Russell followed him, after McLaren stars Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were among those punished for exceeding track limits, but late changes could see more chaos and confusion than usual in the desert this weekend.
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