More trouble on Qatar GP! Pirelli FIA imposes 18-lap limit on tyre life

The Qatar GP has few of the most high-speed corners on the Formula 1 Calendar. Moreover, the kerbs used at the Qatar GP are extremely abrasive as well. Add to that a newly-surfaced abrasive layer, and the Pirelli tyres are in for a tough time. The FIA and Pirelli issued a decision to impose a maximum tyre life on the tyres for every driver. Lewis Hamilton, among other drivers, is not happy.

The Issue

Pirelli takes discarded tyres from every Formula 1 team on Friday to conduct tests. Generally, they do not reveal anything. However, at the Qatar GP, they did. Here’s what the FIA and Pirelli had to say.

“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.”

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The Statement by the FIA and Pirelli

Looking at this, the FIA and Pirelli decided to further analyze the tyres used during the Qatar GP Sprint. After some further discussion, they have taken a decision to impose a maximum life of 18 laps on every tyre.

“It has been decided by the FIA and Pirelli and after consultation with the teams on safety grounds, the following measures will be implemented for today’s Qatar Grand Prix: a mandatory limit of 18 laps of total tyre life per set will be imposed; the life of already used tyres will be taken into consideration.”

Consequences

Any driver who exceeds this mandated stint length during the Qatar GP will receive a black flag during the race. This means direct disqualification from the Formula 1 race.

FIA Statement – Treatment of tyres for the 2023 FIA Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix – UPDATE https://t.co/8CjF2NhU3e

— FIA (@fia) October 8, 2023

Lewis Hamilton’s Strong Words

No driver is happy with these rules being implemented at the Qatar GP. Lewis Hamilton is one of them. He said, “We need some improvement on organisation skills for sure and like the standard of the procedures. We ultimately need a better product of the tyre.”

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Lewis Hamilton continued, “We don’t test at a track that has hardcore high-speed corners like this. I even suggested in the meeting that the three days that we get at the beginning of the year, we should do here. Because this is the most hardcore on the tyres for the whole year.”