How the FIA and Pirelli have responded to avoid repeat Qatar tyre troubles
Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli and the FIA have worked together on an action plan that should help avoid a repeat of the tyre problems that marred last year’s Qatar Grand Prix, Autosport has learned.
As F1 returned to the revamped Losail circuit in 2023, it hit trouble as tyre problems were encountered because of damage being caused by new ‘pyramid’ kerbs that had been installed.
Following the first free practice, Pirelli discovered microscopic separations in the sidewalls between the topping compounds and the carcass cords.
This was triggered by drivers running over the new kerbs, which featured a raised 50mm border – causing significant impacts as the tyres dropped over the edge. The issue was magnified because of the high-speed nature of the venue.
Speaking at the time about what was causing the issue, Pirelli’s head of F1 and car racing Mario Isola said: “It’s not just the geometry of the kerbs, because these kerbs are used in many other circuits. It’s the time and the speed they stay on the kerbs that is important.
“So, here, during the lap, all the drivers are spending quite a lot of time at high speed on the kerbs, and this is damaging the construction.”
Qatar pyramid kerbs
Photo by: Alex Kalinauckas
Amid concerns about this damage opening the door to potential failures, the FIA intervened and mandated maximum stint lengths of 18 laps for new tyres in the race, which was duly turned into a three-stopper.
In a bid to avoid repeat problems, Pirelli and the FIA have worked hard on a response to try to ensure that the tyres avoid a similar punishment this year.
The biggest change made will be at the circuit, with the pyramid-shaped kerbs having had their tips rounded off at seven of the track’s 16 corners.
These are at the first two corners, Turns 4 and 10 and then the section from Turns 12 to 14 where the most stress was put on the tyres last year.
To further discourage drivers from pushing things too far, the FIA has also installed a number of gravel strips behind the kerbs.
As well as the physical work at the track, Pirelli has conducted experiments on its dynamic test beds at its Motorsport R&D Department in Milan to better understand the forces at play.
This has involved running tyres over a sample of the new kerb design that has been supplied to it by the FIA to see if there is any risk of repeat problems.
Further data has also been captured from previous car testing that some teams have done in recent weeks in Qatar.
Although the old car testing does not involve running the 2024-spec race tyres, the feedback gathered has been useful in correlating the work being done back in Milan with what is happening in the real world.
With Losail being one of the most punishing tracks of the season in terms of energy levels, Pirelli is taking the hardest three compounds from its range.
