Why Do Drivers Suffer From Punctures & Tire Management Issues At the Qatar GP?

Every single part on a Formula 1 car is bespoke and engineered for speed. All the parameters and performance is in the hands of the teams and their engineers. But you’d be fascinated to know, that even after all of this, during a Grand Prix weekend, the race is always dictated by just one aspect not in the control of the teams. That’s right. After pouring millions of dollars into development, a team can still barely make it to the end because of the tires! And at the 2023 Qatar GP, this will either make a team a hero or a massive zero.

The latest generation of F1 cars have new 18-inch Pirelli tires. Hence, it’s a huge step away from what was being used in terms of construction and durability when the sport raced at Losail back in 2021. Yet, with everything we saw in Suzuka last week and the characteristics of the Qatar GP asphalt, the drivers are in for a treacherous ride.

What causes high degradation at the Qatar GP

Tire performance in F1 is calculated in terms of performance degradation, or simply put ‘deg’. And while the teams haven’t gone back to the circuit now since 2021, the race that was run back then gives an insight into why the track is so punishing on the tires.

Mario Isola, Pirelli’s head of F1 and motorsport was quoted as saying, “It became clear during the race that a one-stopper was very marginal in terms of tire wear, requiring a high degree of management. Some drivers encountered tire problems towards the finish: this was probably due to a combination of very high wear as a result of long stints, and impacts at high speed against some aggressive kerbs.”

All in all, the harsh lessons from 2021 will surely keep the teams prepped for a torrid night in Qatar.

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A quick recap of the 2021 Qatar GP nightmare

The Qatar GP weekend in 2021 was thrilling no doubt. All eyes were on the championship rivals, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. However, behind the scenes, the aggressive kerbing and high-load corners stole the show with some dramatic moments.

Formula1.com had reported, “In Qatar, four F1 drivers – Nicholas Latifi and George Russell of Williams, McLaren’s Lando Norris, and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas – suffered tire issues, with Bottas and Latifi ultimately retiring from the race.”

How will the race pan out in 2023?

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