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FIA announce additional practice session and safety measures for Qatar GP weekend

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - OCTOBER 6: Carlos Sainz of Spain driving the (55) Ferrari SF-23 duringLUSAIL CITY, QATAR - OCTOBER 6: Carlos Sainz of Spain driving the (55) Ferrari SF-23 during practice/qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on October 6, 2023 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images)

Formula 1’s governing body the FIA have announced an additional practice session plus new safety measures ahead of the Sprint Shootout at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Pirelli carry out an analysis of the tyres which have been used for approximately 20 laps to check various safety parameters after practice on Friday of every race weekend.

In Qatar, that analysis revealed “a separation in the sidewall between the topping compound and the carcass cords on many of tyres that were checked”.

The FIA and Pirelli believe “a significant number of additional laps on these tyres could result in circumferential damage of the tyres with subsequent air loss, and tyres analysed with lower lap numbers showed a much-reduced extent of the issue”.

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LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - OCTOBER 06: Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull RacingThe FIA said the issue had “likely been caused by the high-frequency interference between the tyre sidewall and the 50mm ‘pyramid’ kerbs used extensively at this circuit, aggravated by the propensity to ride those kerbs”

The FIA added that the “issue has likely been caused by the high-frequency interference between the tyre sidewall and the 50mm ‘pyramid’ kerbs used extensively at this circuit, aggravated by the propensity to ride those kerbs”.

With this in mind, the FIA have announced a series of actions on safety grounds in response to the issue.

Track limits at Turns 12 and 13 will be revised, with an additional 10-minute “practice familiarisation session” scheduled for 1600 local time (when the Sprint Shootout was scheduled to begin) to allow drivers to adjust to the track limit revisions.

The Sprint Shootout will begin 20 minutes later than planned.

Pirelli will then analyse the tyres after the Sprint – which lasts for 19 laps – to decide whether further action is needed ahead of Sunday’s main event – the Qatar Grand Prix.

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The FIA say that if the problem is still evident, the tyre life parameter must not exceed 20 laps for new tyres used in the Grand Prix.

This number would rise to 22 for any used tyres fitted in the race, to account for in and out-laps in qualifying.

All drivers would be required to perform at least three tyre-change pit stops during the 57-lap race.

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