While the three-way battle for F1’s drivers’ championship will inevitably take center stage at the Qatar Grand Prix, the penultimate event of the season will also see special tire rules introduced this weekend.
What is this regulation, why was it introduced, and how might it affect Sunday’s tense 57-lap race at Lusail International Circuit? Read on to find out…
What are the new tire rules in Qatar?
Pirelli has set a limit on the number of laps each tire set can complete during the Qatar race weekend.
Each set of tires can accumulate up to 25 laps over the course of five weekend track sessions.
The only laps that do not count towards the total are the pit lane to grid lap, the formation lap, and the laps completed after the checkered flag for Saturday’s sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Pirelli will inform teams ahead of the Grand Prix how many laps they have completed on the remaining set of tires. Due to the demanding nature of the Lusail track, Pirelli is bringing the three hardest compounds in its range to the event: C1 (hard), C2 (medium) and C3 (soft).
Teams will begin the event with 2 hard sets, 4 medium sets, and 6 soft sets.
So what does that mean?
We ask Sky Sports F1’s Bernie Collins, Aston Martin’s former head of race strategy, to clarify some of the key questions surrounding this weekend’s tire regulations…
Why was this rule introduced?
Bernie Collins: “Qatar is a fast circuit that puts a lot of stress on the tires.
“In 2023, there was a very aggressive peak on the curb that actually cut through the sidewall of the tire, which was obviously very dangerous given the high speed of the truck and the load on the tire.
“Two years ago, due to very hot conditions and aggressive curbs, a structured tire life of 18 laps was mandated, which was more restrictive than the current regulations this year.
“These curbs were readjusted before last year’s race, so that’s no longer an issue. However, last year the conditions in Qatar were much cooler than expected, so there was very little tire degradation, which allowed teams to complete a one-stop strategy. That, coupled with very long pit loss times, forced people to complete a one-stop strategy, and we saw some tires reach maximum wear levels.
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Expanded highlights from the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit.
“The outer surface is basically worn out and we are currently building the tire. Pirelli is concerned about that, coupled with the possibility of cuts on the curb if the tire is very thin.”
“So if you wear it to a very thin level, it’s very dangerous if you get a cut. That’s why we put a limit of 25 laps, based on the 35 laps we saw from last year’s finishers.”
How will this change the way teams prepare for races?
Bernie: “The biggest thing this changes is that it forces all teams to a two-stop strategy, but between a 25-lap race and a race that’s only 57 laps, there’s a lot of variation in when you can stop.
“So I think there can be a lot of changes in strategy, unlike two years ago.
“It’s going to change how people use their tires and which tires they save for the race. If the track temperatures were low enough, it could have been a one-stop race again without this restriction, so teams will need a different set for the race than they would otherwise have.”
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Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz explains the basics of F1 tires.
“They also need to make sure there aren’t too many laps in the set available to leave enough flexibility.
“Actually, we’re not going to be running the tires for a long time, so I think we might go for a soft-medium race, or at least two sets of mediums and one set of hard.”
“So the benefit of running hard tires may not be as great as, say, if you’re going for a one-stop attempt.”
Are there any other considerations?
Bernie: “One of the limitations of 25 laps is what people can do under a certain safety car.
“For example, if you pit under the safety car at the start of the race with a damaged front wing, you will not be able to reach the end after two sets of 25 laps, so you will have to make two more stops.
“Similarly, if the safety car comes out with 26 laps to go, you can’t stop under that safety car, so depending on the safety car situation it’s very restrictive and weird things can happen there.
“It also limits the amount of time someone can stop early under normal racing conditions.
“For example, if someone wants to undercut the car in front of them, to do two 25-lap stints to the end, the only time they can actually stop is on lap seven. And if they stop on lap seven, everyone knows exactly which lap later in the race they’re going to stop on. So it’ll be interesting.”
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Craig Slater explains how Lando Norris was able to win his first world title at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Will this rule help or hinder certain teams’ cars?
Bernie: “Those who feel they have an advantage on tire life are going to feel that tire life is hampered. So McLaren might feel a little bit hampered by that, but teams that have better degradation than other teams still have better degradation than other teams and might be able to push the tires a little harder on the two stops.”
“So I don’t think it’s a big pro or con.”
Sky Sports F1 Qatar GP Schedule
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A look back at some of the most dramatic moments that happened at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Saturday, November 29th
1pm: Qatar GP Sprint build-up*
2pm: Qatar GP Sprint*
3:30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook*
4:15pm: F2 Sprint
5:15pm: Qatar GP qualifying build-up
6pm: Qatar GP Qualifying
8pm: Ted’s Qualification Notebook
Sunday, November 30th
11:55am: F2 Special
2:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP Build-up
4pm: Qatar Grand Prix
6pm: Checkered flag: Qatar GP reaction
7pm: Ted’s Notes
*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event
F1’s season-ending triple header continues with the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint weekend, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
