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FIA takes decision on Pirelli tyres

FIA makes decision on Pirelli tyres: Maximum of 18 lap stints in Qatar GP

8 October 2023 at 14:21
Last update 8 October 2023 at 15:18
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  • Toby McLuskie

The FIA has made a decision on the tyre problem arising from the Qatar Grand Prix weekend. After analysing the sprint race, the governing body has decided that further measures should be taken. This means that Formula 1 drivers will be allowed a maximum of 18 laps on a set of Pirelli tyres, which effectively means three mandatory pit stops over 57 laps.

FIA takes decision on Pirelli tyres

"Due to the frequency of Safety Car interventions in yesterday’s Sprint, the tyre data available for analysis by Pirelli was insufficient to add to that already undertaken following previous track sessions," reads the FIA statement.

The governing body said that in some cases the tyres were starting to show cracks, as was also the case on Saturday. As a result, the FIA and Pirelli have decided, after consulting the teams for safety reasons, to adopt the following measures for the Qatar Grand Prix:

- A mandatory limit of 18 laps total tyre life per set, which will take into account the life of tyres already used.

- The FIA and Pirelli will inform teams of the remaining available laps for each set of used tyres at their disposal for the race and the criteria used to calculate that number.

- There is no direct mandate to make a minimum of three pit stops, but this will be a consequence of the above guidelines if the full race distance is covered.

- Any car that has exceeded the tyre life limit will be reported to the stewards as being run in an unsafe condition.