The FIA expressed concerns about tire wear at the Losail International Circuit after Friday’s practice. An additional 10-minute session will be held on Saturday.
The FIA said that drivers might have to make three pit stops during the Qatar Grand Prix for safety reasons related to tyre wear.
Pirelli, the tyre manufacturer, expressed concerns about the effect of the kerbs at Losail International Circuit on Friday’s practice session.
In order to minimize the impact, the track limits at Turns 12-13 have been adjusted. Additionally, a 10-minute practice session has been introduced before the Sprint Shootout on Saturday to give drivers the opportunity to get used to the changes.
Based on the analysis later today, the FIA may require drivers to make three pit stops in Sunday’s race. They may also impose a limit of 20 laps on each new set of tires.
An FIA statement, released little more than three hours before the scheduled start of the Sprint Shootout, said: “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 the 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.”
Max Verstappen is expected to win his third consecutive world championship, but there is an unwanted distraction.’
The Red Bull driver needs just three points, which will be achieved by finishing sixth or above, in the Sprint, to seal the drivers’ title.
Questions will be asked as to how the revamped circuit, which is starting a 10-year deal to host F1 having debuted on the sport’s calendar in 2021, has failed to overcome issues that saw several cars retire late in that race.
The duration needed for Pirelli and the FIA to determine the regulations for the upcoming race is uncertain, with the outcome yet to be determined after the Sprint.
The FIA and Pirelli will investigate and find solutions to prevent the issue from happening again.
World of sports 
Leave a comment