FIA may force drivers to make three pit stops during Qatar Grand Prix

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FIA could force drivers to make three pit stops at Qatar Grand Prix due to concerns over tyre wear caused by ‘pyramid’ kerbs at the Lusail Circuit

  • The FIA and Pirelli have raised concerns over tyre wear in the Qatar Grand Prix
  • If the problem persists in the sprint race, the FIA could mandate three pit stops 
  • The sprint race has been delayed after changes were made to track limits 

The FIA have made several last-minute changes to tyre use for the Qatar Grand Prix amid fears that rubber may otherwise explode.

Formula One’s governing body grew concerned after tests carried out by suppliers Pirelli following practice on Friday. 

They found in some tyres used for about 20 laps ‘a separation between the topping compound and the carcass cords’.

If the problems persist, they will mandate three stops for Sunday’s full-distance race, which would mean no tyres being deployed for more than 20 laps, plus in and out-laps.

They have also delayed the sprint shoot-out on Saturday by 20 minutes, until 2.20 BST, so that drivers can acclimatise to new track limits at Turns 12 and 13 – the place where the tyre damage is believed to have occurred on 5cm pyramid kerbs – during a hastily arranged 10-minute trial.

Drivers could be forced to make three pit stops during Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix due to concerns over tyre wear, the FIA have announced

Pirelli and the FIA warned of ‘a separation between the topping compound and the carcass cords’ in tyres that were 20 laps old

The issue has been liked to the 50mm ‘pyramid’ kerbs at the Lusail International Circuit

A statement released by the FIA on Saturday, barely three hours before the original start time for the sprint race, read: ‘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.

‘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.’

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