According to Pirelli, the kerbs in Qatar already caused problems in 2021, but apparently they didn’t think it would be the same in 2023
Formula 1 is experiencing a bit of a tyre dilemma in Qatar in 2023. Because the high kerbs at the Losail International Circuit cause damage to tyres, the FIA has had to modify the track with an adjustment to the track limits and may take additional measures after further investigation.
This is not a new problem, as tyre manufacturer Pirelli had already reported difficulties with the track in 2021. “We had a similar problem in 2021,” confirms Pirelli manager Mario Isola.
The central issue there, too: the kerbs. “The geometry of the kerbs is similar to the geometry of the kerbs we had in 2021.”
At that time, however, there had been two rows of kerbs. The first row had an edge height of 25 millimetres at the back before the second row came with a height of 50 millimetres. This year, however, there is only one row with 50 millimetres. If the pilots drive over this, they “fall down” a lot at the back, which leads to damage to the tyres.
“We already did analyses in 2021 and demonstrated that there was damage to the tyres then,” says Isola. Now, however, it must be noted that there were other tyres back then. In 2021, the 13-inch tyres were still in use, but in the meantime Formula 1 is running on the 18-inch tyres.
Pirelli: New 18-inch tyres not the problem
However, that’s not where the problem lies according to Isola, although he admits, “The smaller sidewall certainly doesn’t help as it gives less opportunity to absorb the impact.” However, he says Pirelli has found in specific tests with the 18-inch tyre that the resistance of the construction is equal to that of the 13-inch tyre.
“So we are not saying that the 18-inch tyre is weaker than the previous tyre,” Isola clarifies.
The sticking point for him is that the higher kerb two years ago was the second row, whereas now it is closer to the track.
They had even analysed the problem with the FIA back then to understand it. But why couldn’t they prevent the problems for this year? Pirelli themselves are taking themselves out of the line of fire because they think it is a kerbing problem and had not been consulted on the issue of kerbs in advance, according to Isola.
“The FIA, of course, has the responsibility to give these indications to the circuit. When we are involved, we give our opinion, but we are not regularly informed about it,” he says.
“Wasn’t seen as a problem, I guess “
“Probably they evaluated that there wouldn’t be a problem with this new kerb with only one row, but the reports were made in 2021 and passed on to the teams and to the FIA,” Isola says.
“But as I said, it was different tyres, different kerbs, and it was not seen as a potential problem,” the Pirelli man said.
At least he is happy that the problem was discovered after practice and that they can still react. “I think this is a good example of how you can anticipate a problem and also work with the other stakeholders to avoid safety issues during the race,” Isola said.
FIA technical chief Nikolas Tombazis says they now just need to repeat the simulations and figure something out. “But we are not there yet,” he says. “What we had to do yesterday and this morning was to find solutions to be able to run this race. “
