2023-10-08 19:10:16
© Reuters.
Por Alan Baldwin
DOHA (Reuters) – Formula 1’s governing body imposed a mandatory limit on tire usage time at the Qatar Grand Prix this Sunday, following Pirelli’s warning of the risk of sudden bursts.
The FIA said a limit of 18 laps of total tire life per set of tires will be imposed for the 57-lap race, effectively making it a three-stop race.
The useful life of already used tires will be taken into account.
“Any car deemed to have exceeded the tire life limit will be reported to the stewards as being driven in unsafe conditions,” it added in a statement.
The FIA warned on Saturday ahead of a 19-lap sprint race that this Sunday’s Grand Prix could become a mandatory three-stop race to limit tire use.
The entity also made revisions to the track limits at turns 12 and 13.
Pirelli’s analysis of the tires used in Friday’s only free practice session found a small sidewall separation between the cover compound and the casing cords on many of the tires used for around 20 laps.
The FIA said the problem was likely caused by the sidewall contacting the circuit’s 50mm “pyramid” curbs, with drivers driving past the curbs to get the fastest lap time.
Saturday’s sprint had three safety car periods at reduced speeds. According to the FIA, the data from this race was insufficient to add to what was already known.
“In some cases, the analyzed Sprint tires showed the beginning of sidewall separation between the cover compound and the tire casing cords,” he added.
Max Verstappen, who won his third sprint championship, will start from pole position. His Red Bull team has already won the constructors’ title.
#FIA #imposes #tire #lap #limit #Qatar #Reuters