Autobayng News Team
McLaren are concerned the problems Pirelli are experiencing with their tyres in Qatar could have an effect on the world championship.
The FIA and Formula 1 agreed to Pirelli’s request to impose a maximum limit of 25 laps per set of tyres due to the high strain they experience at the Losail International Circuit.
However Pirelli encountered more tyre problems during practice yesterday. It found cuts in the rubber which it says were caused by gravel which had been dragged onto the circuit. Several new gravel traps have been added at Losail this year.
“I’m a little concerned,” said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown after the sprint race. “Our tyres were fine there, but I think there were some tyres that had some cuts last night and obviously they’re managing [them].
“We’ve had tyre issues here before, so we’re just concerned on anything that’s out of our control that could impact the championship. And in this instance at this particular track, tyres are a topic.”
Brown believes there is little teams can do to avoid falling victim to a tyre failure. “I think it’s luck of the draw, and I think that’s the problem,” he said.
“People are dragging gravel onto the circuit and the kerbs. So if everyone keeps it clean, we’ll be all right. But I think we know we can count on some racing drivers to throw some stones on the track.”
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Sprint race winner Oscar Piastri said he is concerned the tyres appeared to be damaged by ordinary driving. “Whenever you’ve got a vibration that just comes from driving and not doing anything – me, you know, no lock-ups or anything – it’s never a great sign.
“In terms of safety, I think it’s the front tyres that are the main problem, so I think the risk of having a catastrophic shunt from a rear puncture is probably pretty low. But whenever you’ve got to put a limit in for things like this, obviously it’s a little bit of a concern.”
He reported “everything was fine” running at the front of the field in the sprint race. “There was a bit of a vibration. It’s not the first time we’ve had a vibration from just driving, but I think it should be fine. They’ve taken measures.”
George Russell, who finished second, reported concerns over tyre vibrations on his radio before the end of the 19-lap sprint race. “I guess when we see the tyre wear after the race, we’ll get an indication,” he said.
“The vibration was probably coming from major tyre wear. You see in those corners – you probably saw a slow-motion replay – the front-left is all going to be rolling over onto the outside edge of the tyre, and that’s the bit that’s going to give up first.”
Pirelli experienced similar problems with its tyres at this track two years ago when it limited drivers to 18 laps per stint during the race. However Russell said Pirelli should not be blamed for the problem.
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“I think it was required to put this limit in because, at the end of the day, if you make a tyre for a 24-race season that’s specifically designed for a track like Qatar, you’ll then struggle everywhere else, if that makes sense. Or you’ll have different issues everywhere else.
“So I don’t think we should be putting any heat on Pirelli – they made the best tyre possible for 24 races – but it’s just the nature of this track being so quick. They need to introduce something like that.”
Pirelli said it will closely monitor the tyre wear today and instructed teams to increase the minimum starting pressures for their tyres by 1psi between sessions on Friday and Saturday.
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