Title: Tyre Issues Force Emergency Adjustments to Qatar Grand Prix Timetable
Date: [Date]
The opening day of action at the Losail circuit has brought to light a concerning issue regarding Pirelli rubber, as analysis revealed evidence of a sidewall separation between the topping compound and the carcass cords. The FIA has issued a statement warning that this problem could potentially lead to air loss if the tyres were to be used extensively.
Initial investigations have indicated that the issue may have been triggered by a new design of kerbs built specifically for this weekend’s event in Qatar. The FIA suggested that the high-frequency interference between the tyre sidewall and the 50mm ‘pyramid’ kerbs, commonly ridden by drivers, exacerbated the problem.
In response to this concerning discovery, the FIA has decided to reshuffle the timetable for Saturday to address the issue. An additional practice session has been added to thoroughly evaluate the situation and work towards finding a solution.
In its official statement, the governing body disclosed that various measures are being implemented to prevent any potential problems during the race. The FIA has revised the track limits at Turns 12-13 and has scheduled an extra 10-minute familiarisation session at 4 pm on Saturday, pushing back the start of the sprint shootout qualifying.
As a result, the sprint shootout will now commence at 4:20 pm, 20 minutes later than initially planned. Following the sprint race on Saturday evening, further analysis of the tyres will take place to determine whether any additional actions are necessary for Sunday’s grand prix.
In the event of further concerns, the FIA may enforce stricter regulations on Sunday, based on safety grounds. This would mean that tyre life should not exceed 20 laps for new tyres during the race. Additionally, this number would increase to 22 laps for any used tyres fitted in the race, accounting for in-out laps in qualifying. Furthermore, all drivers would be obligated to perform at least three tyre-change pitstops throughout the race.
Ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda expressed his apprehension about the aggressive kerbs introduced this year. Tsunoda highlighted the difficulty of maneuvering between the kerb and the off track areas, noting that while driving on the kerbs themselves may not be an issue, any deviation from them could result in a challenging sliding effect. The high-speed corners and low stances of the cars on the Qatar circuit further compound this concern.
The FIA, along with Pirelli and race organizers, are working diligently to address the tyre issues and ensure the safety of all drivers during the Qatar Grand Prix. Further updates will be provided as the situation progresses.