Tyre supplier Pirelli is expressing concerns about the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled for late November. The extreme heat and distinctive characteristics of the Lusail International Circuit have previously resulted in multiple tyre blowouts. To better protect the tyres in the upcoming edition – and to give the drivers a fair chance – Pirelli is considering implementing a maximum mileage per set of tyres.
The Qatar Grand Prix is known to be a gruelling test, both for the drivers and the tyres. The combination of high-speed corners, rough asphalt, and aggressive kerbstones continuously pushes the rubber to its limits. During the inaugural edition in 2021, no less than four drivers experienced a tyre blowout, each time on the left front.
Maximum Mileage
With the introduction of the current ground-effect regulations, the strain became even greater; drivers were more frequently hitting the kerbstones, leading to fractures between the tread and the carcass of the tyre. In response, Pirelli and the FIA imposed a limit of eighteen laps per set, resulting in a minimum of three pit stops per driver in 2023. Although the kerbs were flattened for the 2024 edition, the fear of tyre problems persisted. According to Pirelli chief Mario Isola, the core of the problem lies not with overheating, but with wear.
“When the tread becomes too thin, the tyre is no longer protected,” he explained. “A small stone or minor damage is then enough to tear the rubber layer.” Last year, Pirelli only advised the teams not to drive more than 24 laps on one set. However, Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz took the risk. Yet, they both suffered punctures in lap 34 after running over debris.
To prevent a repeat of that scenario, Pirelli wants to reintroduce a limit this year. According to Auto, Motor und Sport, the supplier is in talks with the teams to establish a maximum mileage per set. The exact number of permitted laps is still unknown, but according to the German medium, it seems that all drivers will have to make at least two mandatory pit stops.
