F1 contemplating return to most stint size for Qatar GP

System 1 groups, the FIA and tyre provider Pirelli are contemplating mandating a most stint size on the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix to keep away from a repeat of 2024’s puncture points, forcing groups to make at the least two pitstops if permitted.

The Qatar race on the high-downforce Losail observe has been marred by tyre issues in latest seasons. In 2023, stint lengths have been capped at 18 laps resulting from considerations over the harm completed to the tyres by Losail’s dramatic ‘pyramid’ model kerbs, which triggered sidewall separation.

For final yr’s race, these kerbs have been floor down and have been not a problem, however there have been nonetheless considerations over the massive quantity of what’s referred to as volumetric put on. Volumetric put on signifies that the tyre bodily wears down and loses quantity, that means the compound cannot present as a lot safety to the underlying carcass, elevating the opportunity of punctures. In final yr’s race, Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz each suffered punctures consequently.

The high-speed corners of Losail are likely to significantly stress the front-left tyre, and the dearth of thermal degradation means drivers can push exhausting and bodily put on out the tyres with out dropping an excessive amount of efficiency.

Particles from Valtteri Bottas’ damaged mirror was initially suspected to be the reason for two punctures

Photograph by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Photographs

Tyre provider Pirelli has now confirmed that talks are ongoing to keep away from a repeat at this yr’s version on the finish of November, with one choice on the desk to return to a mandated stint size that may pressure groups into making at the least two pitstops.

“We’re nonetheless deciding,” Pirelli engineer Simone Berra stated. “We’re talking with FIA, with the groups, with F1, and we are going to take a call very quickly. In the mean time, there’s nothing formally determined.

“Now we have the expertise from earlier years. Two years in the past, it was extra a matter of kerbs. Final yr, it was a matter of excessive put on, and volumetric put on particularly. That generated some carcass harm. So clearly, we’re bearing in mind all these parameters. The construction hasn’t modified an excessive amount of by way of resistance.

“We wish to keep away from ending up in an analogous state of affairs as final yr, the place the groups have been capable of lengthen the stint as a result of they did not have a giant efficiency loss, even working on the under-thread. And so we’re evaluating which choices we’ve on the desk, and we are going to resolve very quickly.”

Berra confirmed {that a} most stint size “is on the desk”.

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