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Pirelli warns of tyre wear GP Qatar 2023

Pirelli warns drivers of tyre challenge in Qatar

4 October 2023 at 15:49
Last update 4 October 2023 at 22:24
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  • GPblog.com

The Qatar Grand Prix will be held for the second time ever this weekend. If one thing became clear at the first race at the Losail International Circuit in 2021, it is that the tyres are going to have a tough time. Pirelli chief Mario Isola warns F1 drivers.

The second birth of the Qatar GP

In 2021, it were several tyres that failed. Valtteri Bottas' tyres died first. The then Mercedes driver drove a long stint of more than 30 laps and suffered a puncture. Things will not get any easier in 2023, according to Pirelli's Isola. The Italian explains that it is a kind of second birth of the Qatar GP.

Isola: "it’s another new beginning, as the cars are now very different to the ones we saw a couple of years ago and the Losail circuit has been completely resurfaced, with modified kerbs as well. On paper, the track’s main features remain the same[...], but it’s clear that the changes made over the last two years mean that the data collected from the first grand prix is only relatively useful." That is the first challenge Isola mentions.

'Losail is reminiscent of Istanbul'

The Pirelli boss continued: "n terms of severity, Losail is a very challenging circuit for tyres, similar to Silverstone and Suzuka. So it’s no coincidence that the compounds chosen are the same: C1, C2, and C3. [...] The series of corners between Turns 12 and 14 is quite reminiscent of the famous Turn 8 at Istanbul: one of the most demanding corners for tyres in the recent history of Formula 1." So the track's characteristics also make it difficult for drivers to control the tyres and are the second challenge.

Finally, Isola warns, "Another factor making the Qatar Grand Prix even more challenging for us as well as the drivers and the teams is the return of the Sprint format. Just one hour of free practice will be available on Friday to determine the set-up and assess tyre behaviour over long runs." To make that even more problematic, FP1 will be held during the day at the hottest time of the day and not at the same time as the race when the temperature has already dropped.