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, Motorsport.com 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 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.”

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 track, 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.

The FIA said before this year’s WEC round at the circuit: “The ‘Misano’ type kerbs at Lusail International Circuit are the same as used at many other circuits around the world that are homologated by both FIA and FIM.

“It was agreed with the circuit to grind down the peak and sharp trailing edges of the “Misano” style kerbs at several turns in order to reduce the risk of sidewall damage when a car runs wide and rejoins from the direction of the run-off area.

“The modification was made in agreement with Formula 1 and Pirelli also notified.” 

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