[Official] Qatar Grand Prix 2023: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 18 of 23

[Born Racer]

Not too much to say for this relatively new race, which is just as well, because I don't have the time to say it!

Sprint fun beckons, though.

[bjohnsonsmith]

I completely forgot there was a sprint race and that qualifying for the actual GP was today. Both McLaren drivers had their lap times deleted.

There are further qualifying investigations for Hamilton, Tsunoda, Lawson and Piastri, possibly failing to follow the race director's instructions regarding maximum lap times, in order to reduce traffic issues in qualifying. Sounds like a bit of a mess.

[chavez]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I completely forgot there was a sprint race and that qualifying for the actual GP was today. Both McLaren drivers had their lap times deleted.

There are further qualifying investigations for Hamilton, Tsunoda, Lawson and Piastri, possibly failing to follow the race director's instructions regarding maximum lap times, in order to reduce traffic issues in qualifying. Sounds like a bit of a mess.

Not to mention announcing during the interviews with the top 3 qualifiers further track limit penalties.

Are there any other sports that have so many post play penalties?

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by chavez

Not to mention announcing during the interviews with the top 3 qualifiers further track limit penalties.

That was pretty sad & pathetic really - took SO long to announce the track limits lap deletions. Cars had enough time for an in lap, drivers out, weighing in, waiting for interviews & all that. Race Control needs to do much better - not good at all.

[E.B]

It seems we have a problem, Houston.

Routine tyre inspection after practice has unearthed a potential disaster for want of a better word.

Tyres are showing signs of delamination after just 20 laps with potential 'loss of air'

As a result immediate changes to the track limits rules, and cars are mandated to pit for new rubber in a maximum of 20 laps for new tyres.

As such they have also mandated a minimum of 3 pitstops per team in the race.
There will be an extra 10 minutes familiarisation of the new track limits rules prior to the Shootout Sprint qualy, which has been delayed 20 minutes as a consequence.

The FIA have issued the following statement.

Following the standard analysis of tyres used during Free Practice 1 yesterday, in which tyres that have been used for approximately 20 laps are examined by Pirelli to check various safety parameters, a separation in the sidewall between the topping compound and the carcass cords on many of tyres that were checked was discovered.

It is the view of the FIA and Pirelli that 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.

This 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.

The following actions will be taken on safety grounds in response to this issue:

Track limits at Turns 12-13 will be revised.
There will be a 10-minute Practice Familiarisation Session, scheduled to start at 16:00 local time, following the revision of the track limits, to allow drivers to adjust to the changes. The Sprint Shootout will therefore start 20 minutes later than scheduled (16:20 local time).
There will extensive tyre analysis following the Sprint (19 laps), to decide whether further action needs to be taken ahead of the Grand Prix.
In the event the problem is still evident, we will be issuing the following directive for Sunday’s Grand Prix, on safety grounds:
The tyre life parameter must not exceed 20 for new tyres used in the race. This number would rise to 22 for any used tyres fitted in the race, to account for in-out laps in qualifying.
All drivers will be obliged to perform at least three tyre-change pitstops during the race.

Pirelli and the FIA will carry out extensive research and simulations in order to establish with complete confidence the reasons behind this issue, and to work on solutions to avoid it in the future.

https://www.fia.com/news/fia-stateme...tar-grand-prix

[S griffin]

Well this is gonna be a farce of a race. It seems to me the circuit is unsuitable for F1 cars

[bjohnsonsmith]

It's Formula 1 Jim but not as we know it.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Well this is gonna be a farce of a race. It seems to me the circuit is unsuitable for F1 cars

Or - the cars are not suitable for the circuit?

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Or - the cars are not suitable for the circuit?

Or the drivers have been abusing the curbing. I just wish that the FIA, and here in the UK, they would change the rules so that the curbing was no longer considered part of the track.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Or the drivers have been abusing the curbing. I just wish that the FIA, and here in the UK, they would change the rules so that the curbing was no longer considered part of the track.

Why not reduce the width of the curbing?

[bjohnsonsmith]

A front row lockout for McLaren and P1 for Piastri. Can they and Piastri convert this into a win?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Or the drivers have been abusing the curbing. I just wish that the FIA, and here in the UK, they would change the rules so that the curbing was no longer considered part of the track.

True. There are many factors, and the track is just one of them.

If this were Monaco or Montreal - would the track still be to blame?

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

It's Formula 1 Jim but not as we know it.

Yep! And a lot of the fans like this type of drama. It does spice things up. Even if accidently.

Originally Posted by S griffin

Well this is gonna be a farce of a race. It seems to me the circuit is unsuitable for F1 cars

I can only trust what I read, but it seems like it is an issue specific to the type of curbing...
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/h...s-gp/10529827/

I do find it interesting that Pirelli is examining the tires as deeply as they do on a regular basis and that this did expose the problem. Better than it happening during the race and that causing significant chaos. There is the open quesiton as to how they didn't know this was a potential.

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

A front row lockout for McLaren and P1 for Piastri. Can they and Piastri convert this into a win?

I have not watched sprint qualifying yet, but have seen the results. I keep being hopeful that Lando gets his first win, even if a sprint win really is not a full race win. There was a video recently posted in the F1 YouTube channel showing George, Lando and Alex answering questions and Lando is clearly still haunted by Sochi 2021. Would love to see him get that monkey off his back.

Richard

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Richard C

Yep! And a lot of the fans like this type of drama. It does spice things up. Even if accidently.



Richard

Having to pit every 20 laps isn’t what I’d call exciting. It’s gonna make it too predictable

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Having to pit every 20 laps isn’t what I’d call exciting. It’s gonna make it too predictable

I hear you, but at the same time I am curious to see how it works out. Its my understanding it's not a done deal yet. That after today's use of new track limits they will re-examine the tires to see if they need to impose the 20ish lap limit or not for Sunday.

Richard

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Or the drivers have been abusing the curbing. I just wish that the FIA, and here in the UK, they would change the rules so that the curbing was no longer considered part of the track.

Excuse my ignorance, but is this not how the track limits are being policed? You have to have part of your tyre remain on the track. All 4 wheels on the kerb is considered off track.

[bjohnsonsmith]

A clean start but a bad one for Norris and Verstappen, great start for Russell. FCY as Lawson goes off.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Sergeant goes off, again and brings out the second caution.

[rika]

Wow these soft tires are bad !

[rika]

Russel confirms these soft tires are useless


I think nobody will use them tomorrow

[bjohnsonsmith]

Perez off. Looks like he got tagged by Ocon. 3rd FCY.

[rika]

Ocon takes out Hulkenberg and then Perez

[bjohnsonsmith]

What a superb move from Norris to pass first Leclerc and then Sainz.

[rika]

And Russell

[bjohnsonsmith]

Congrats to Piastri on his first F1 win and congrats to Verstappen on his 3rd WDC.