Pirelli has explained how the special tyre restrictions it has requested will work at this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Formula 1’s official tyre supplier has set a maximum limit of 25 laps per set of tyres for this weekend’s race due to its concern over potential failures.
Pirelli has now clarified exactly how that limit will apply across the race weekend, which includes a sprint race.
“For the sprint [race] and the [grand prix], all laps started after the start signal and before the end-of-session signal will be counted in the maximum number of laps permitted,” said Pirelli in a statement. “For the avoidance of doubt this means that reconnaissance lap(s), formation laps prior to the start signal and laps after the end-of-session signal will not be counted.
“All laps started during any other session will be counted in the maximum number of laps permitted. Any lap started but not completed will be counted as a full lap. For a mixed set, the number of laps for the set will be defined by the tyre [in] the set with highest number of laps accumulated.”
Ahead of the grand prix, Pirelli will supply a document to all teams detailing how many laps each remaining set of tyres may complete.
As the grand prix will run for 57 laps, the 25-lap limit means each driver will have to pit twice unless the race is cut short. Last year every driver who finished in the top 10 pitted once, except for Fernando Alonso, who did a single lap on hards in the middle of the race before switching back to mediums.
“The limitation, agreed with the FIA, F1 and the teams, was decided on to prevent the tyres from reaching their maximum level of wear, as happened last year when tyres were nevertheless used past their working life through management of their degradation,” said Pirelli. “Doing this puts excessive strain on the tyre’s construction.”
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