Considerations over the integrity of Pirelli’s tyres after Friday observe on the Qatar Grand Prix may see the FIA mandate a three-stop pit technique in Sunday’s race.
Evaluation of tyres used for roughly 20 laps throughout first observe in Qatar revealed a separation within the sidewall between the topping compound and the carcass cords.
Each tyre provider Pirelli and the game’s governing physique, the FIA, are involved that continued use of the tyres past 20 laps would result in failures, whereas these used for fewer laps throughout observe seem much less liable to the problem.
The FIA believes the injury has been brought on by the 50mm ‘pyramid’ kerbs used across the Losail circuit and the tendency for drivers to experience these kerbs throughout a lap.
Consequently, observe limits are set to turn into stricter on the high-speed Turns 12 and 13 to maintain drivers off the kerbs, with an extra 10-minute free observe scheduled forward of Saturday’s dash shootout session to permit drives to familiarise themselves with the brand new observe limits.
The extra observe time means shootout qualifying, which units the grid for the dash race, will begin 20 minutes later than scheduled at 4:20 p.m. native time.
Additional evaluation of the tyres will happen after Saturday’s 19-lap dash race, by which it’s not obligatory to make a pit cease.
If the issue continues to be evident, the FIA will cap tyre age in Sunday’s 57-lap grand prix at 20 laps for brand new tyres 22 laps for used tyres (to account for the in-lap and out-lap the used tyres have already accomplished in qualifying).
It’ll additionally mandate three tyre adjustments per automotive in the course of the race, thereby lowering staff’s want to run the tyres as much as their 20-lap most stint.
A press release by the FIA added: “Pirelli and the FIA will perform in depth analysis and simulations in an effort to set up with full confidence the explanations behind this challenge, and to work on options to keep away from it sooner or later.”