FORMULA 1 LAS VEGAS GP LEWIS HAMILTON RUMOURS

Severe penalty looms for Formule One drivers if they ignore Qatar’s new rule

16:57, 26 Nov

byLudo van Denderen

Any Formula 1 driver who completes more than 25 laps on a single set of Pirelli tyres during Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix could face a severe penalty – potentially even disqualification.

Due to the extreme tyre degradation at the Lusail circuit, drivers will be limited to a maximum of 25 laps on a single set of Pirellis this weekend. Last season, long runs on the same track revealed just how quickly the tyres could reach the end of their life.

“Some of them were quite close because you can see that there was no more rubber left on the tread, the construction was exposed," revealed Pirelli's motorsport director, Mario Isola.

“The [tyre] construction can resist, but when you start running over it, you wear it down quite quickly. It's not designed to run on tarmac, especially since they were not slowing down too much. So clearly, when the construction is exposed, there is a certain element of risk," the Italian continued.

The opening lap of the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Circuit modifications were difficult to achieve

Pirelli and Formula 1 opted to limit the number of laps on one set of tyres, but they could also have chosen to modify the circuit. “But I believe it's quite complicated,” Isola added.

"From what I know—I didn’t talk to them directly—there was a discussion to see if some modifications were possible. However, it’s not just Formula 1 racing in Qatar. There are many series, different championships, and even motorbikes, all of which require specific curves and safety measures."

“It’s difficult to find a solution that satisfies everyone. Considering that the circuit is the same as last year, and that the curve modification was effective in terms of reducing damage to the sidewall, we proposed limiting the mileage, and nobody objected."

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris during the 2024 Qatar GP - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

A hefty penalty for an infringement?

If a team runs more than 25 laps on a set of tyres this weekend, a hefty penalty will follow: almost certainly disqualification. "I think so, because the limitation is in our preview. In our preview, we define elements such as minimum pressure, but it’s not a technical infringement. So if a driver exceeds the lap limit, it is reported to the stewards.” Isola explained.

GPblog made further inquiries and was told it would be a violation of the Sporting Regulations, in this case Article 30.5 [a]:

“All tyres must be operated in accordance with the prescriptions issued prior to each Competition by the FIA and the appointed tyre supplier, including any additional or modified procedures set out in the Appendix to these Sporting Regulations or as communicated directly by the FIA and the appointed tyre supplier.”

In the event of a breach, the matter goes to the stewards, who will then decide the penalty. Naturally, there is no precedent for this.