How Pirelli’s 25-lap F1 tyre restrict will work on the Qatar GP

System 1 tyre provider Pirelli has additional defined how the lap restrict imposed at this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix will work and addressed considerations over it limiting technique choices.

The Italian producer has mandated a 25-lap restrict per stint on the Losail Worldwide Circuit after considerations prompted from evaluation of final yr’s occasion.

Pirelli observed that “a number of tyres, significantly the left entrance, had reached the utmost put on stage” as a result of groups trying 30+ lap stints on the “very excessive vitality circuit”.

So, it needed drivers doing “secure mileage” throughout the 57-tour race, equally to 2023 when there was an 18-lap restrict – however kerb modifications averted a repeat of that state of affairs final yr.

Mario Isola, Pirelli’s motorsport director, confirmed the choice was taken in March and sees 2025 as the right time to do it as “we are able to have a direct comparability with final yr as a result of the observe is similar”.

The Italian additionally stated that the restrict solely applies to the slick tyre – the toughest compound vary of C1, C2 and C3 is accessible this weekend – earlier than including a disqualification may very well be the punishment for exceeding the restrict.

He was then requested finally weekend’s Las Vegas GP if groups would nonetheless need to pit once more ought to a security automobile go away with 26 laps remaining.

Mario Isola, Racing Supervisor, Pirelli Motorsport

Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Pictures

To which Isola replied: “It was clear within the definition that we placed on the preview, within the prescriptions, that we depend additionally laps behind the protection automobile.

“The one laps that aren’t counted are those after the chequered flag or the formation lap, to make stuff straightforward, as a result of in any other case it’s unattainable. One, for us to make a calculation, and two, so that you can perceive what occurred, and for spectators to know what occurred.

“It needs to be very clear. Every lap counts. And in addition when they’re operating in quali, they’ve possibly a cooldown lap, a push lap, a cooldown lap, no matter, all of the laps are counted, in any other case it’s unattainable. It is best to outline a restrict, and underneath this restrict it’s not counted, above this restrict it’s counted.”

Isola subsequently thinks there needs to be no gray space for groups to use, however ought to the pitlane be closed due for security causes – let’s say a driver has stopped at entry – then it’s “a call of the race route”, who may “determine to increase the restrict”.

There are considerations that being kind of compelled right into a two-stop technique may restrict variance, Sauber boss Jonathan Wheatley stated “it’s simply going to be a little bit of a procession”, as a result of there might solely be a slim, restricted window for groups to pit.

However Isola disagrees with such a notion, as he stated: “In any case, the 25 laps on a 57 laps race is giving some flexibility. You aren’t obliged to cease at lap 24.

“You may mess around that. Possibly somebody may attempt to begin on the smooth and have a primary stint that it’s shorter, as a result of in any case, they know they need to cease twice. So there is a sign of the results of this mileage limitation.”

Extra reporting by Filip Cleeren

Pictures from Qatar GP – Thursday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari