Pirelli mandates 25-lap stints for Qatar GP over tyre concerns

Each tyre set will be limited to a maximum of 25 laps across the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix weekend due to tyre wear concerns, Pirelli has announced. 

Following a decision in agreement with the FIA, F1 and the teams, each tyre set has been given the distance restriction of 25 laps of the Losail International Circuit after an analysis from the 2024 event. 

It means the 57-lap Qatar GP will force drivers into a minimum of a two-stop race, but the sprint race won’t need to be interrupted by pitstops given the 19-lap length. 

A Pirelli statement read: “This measure has been deemed necessary, following analysis of the tyres used in 2024. Last year, several tyres, particularly the left front, had reached the maximum wear level. These conditions, combined with the high lateral energy had increased the structural fatigue of the construction.” 

Pirelli also explained the issue is different from the 2023 Qatar GP that also saw mandated maximum tyre stint lengths, because that was caused by the kerbs creating micro-lacerations in the tyres’ sidewalls. Subsequent modifications to the kerbs, plus gravel traps around them, avoided a repeat of this situation last year.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

All laps in practice, sprint qualifying, the sprint race, grand prix qualifying and the grand prix itself will be counted per tyre set, including laps completed under a safety car or a virtual safety car. 

The only exclusions will be laps to the grid, formation laps and laps completed after the chequered flag in the sprint race and the grand prix. 

Before the start of the grand prix, Pirelli will also inform the teams how many laps are still available for each set each driver has left remaining. 

Pirelli has selected its hardest compound range for the Qatar GP: C1 as the hard, C2 as the medium and C3 as the soft. Under the sprint weekend regulations, each driver will be supplied with two sets of hards, four sets of mediums and six sets of softs for the entire race weekend.