'Tyregate' in F1: decision on Grand Prix follows on Sunday

General

FIA pirelli decide Sunday
7 October 2023 at 21:46
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  • Kada Sarkozi
  • Editor

A 'tyregate' is happening in Formula 1. With all the festivities surrounding Max Verstappen's third world title, it would almost be forgotten that Pirelli still has a problem with tyre life. A decision on any measures for Sunday's Grand Prix was due to be made after the sprint race, but a decision has been postponed until Sunday.

The sprint race should have provided a better picture of exactly how long the tyres would last at race speed. However, the problem was that there were no less than three safety car procedures, so the cars did not go around at full speed for quite some time. The final picture of the tyres is bound to be somewhat distorted as a result.

Pirelli conducts research

Pirelli is using the night to conduct a close inspection of the tyres used in the sprint race. The results of the investigations will determine whether tyre sets will thus be compulsorily changed at least three times during the Grand Prix. At 2pm local time, the teams, Pirelli and the FIA will sit down to decide on that.