New kerbs and gravel traps in response to 2023 tyre problems at Losail · RaceFans

The Losail International Circuit has made changes to its kerbs and added new gravel traps following the tyre problems which struck during last year’s grand prix.

The FIA took the unprecedented step of imposing a one-off maximum stint length of 18 laps during last year’s Qatar Grand Prix, which was the second time F1 cars raced at Losail. It made the change after F1’s official tyre supplier Pirelli discovered damage caused by the track’s kerbs.

In order to prevent drivers running wide and along the kerbs, white lines denoting the track limits were repositioned at several key corners.

For this year’s race the kerbs have been altered at seven corners. The top of the kerbs at turns one, two, four, 10, 12, 13 and 14 have been rounded off to alter their pointed, pyramid shapes.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Losail International Circuit, 2023 — Kerbs were widened at the track last year

Pirelli has conducted tests of its tyres using samples of the new kerbs. It also received data from teams which tested older F1 cars at the circuit in recent weeks. “Even though the tyres were obviously not identical to those from the 2024 range, the acquired data has still been useful to confirm the results of simulations and the indications from the test bed,” the tyre supplier noted.

Additional gravel strips have been added at the exit of other corners to help drivers judge where the edge of the track is and prevent them from gaining an advantage by running wide.

The Losail circuit is one of the most demanding tracks for tyres on the F1 calendar. Pirelli will bring its hardest selection of tyre compounds for this weekend’s race, as it did last year.

F1 Academy driver Maya Weug pointed out the changes to the kerbs when she visited the circuit recently:

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@weugmaya
Qatar’s track got some big upgrades! New gravel traps, less aggressive kerbs, and no more track limits😉 Can’t wait to get racing around this amazing track soon!🏁✨ #QatarGP #RacingLife #TrackUpgrades #Qatarupgrades #QatarGP #F1A #F1 Let me know if you have any more questikns ahead lf the last two races! 🚀
♬ original sound – Maya Weug