[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?

[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.

[rika]

Wow these soft tires are bad !

[rika]

Russel confirms these soft tires are useless


I think nobody will use them tomorrow

[rika]

Ocon takes out Hulkenberg and then Perez

[bjohnsonsmith]

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

[bjohnsonsmith]

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

[Beau2]

Well done Piastri! And congrats to Max.

I don't think Piastri quite has the raw speed of Norris but he looks more composed and makes less mistakes up the front. What a fantastic rookie season - probably the best since Hamilton in 2007.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

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

1st of many more to come for the winner, and the 3rd of many more for the champion.

[rika]

And Russell

[rika]

Lucky his team is there to celebrate with Piastri. The FIA guys and the men in white dresses only care about Verstappen.




That is a bit sad.

[rika]

Piastri wins before Norris. Tough for Lando.

[rika]

Yes hand out the medal to #2 first!




At least finally they have a bit of attention for Oscar Piastri.


But just a tiny bit.
They are back with Verstappen immediatly.
I think the FIA guy and the men in white dresses should care more about first winner !