Pirelli has confirmed decision – via pre-race technical document – of the FIA and F1 to limit the tyre usage to 25 laps in Qatar GP due to track surface.
A similar stance was taken in 2023 by Pirelli to limit the tyre usage to certain number of laps. However, that was due to kerbing, which caused tyre punctures. But for this year’s Qatar GP, the decision is down to abrasive track surface in combination with the load that the current cars produce.
The decision has been made public by Pirelli after the pre-race technical document was sent out to teams, which is usual practice for any event two weeks prior to each grand prix. The limit for this year’s event at Lusail circuit has been set to maximum of 25 laps across all sessions.
This includes laps run under safety car and or virtual safety car. However, the laps to grid and formation laps along with laps completed after the chequered flag and the sprint will not be included. Considering that the race is of 57 laps, it will force for two-stop strategy.
The sprint race will not be affected considering it is run for only 19 laps. Pirelli will provide the information about laps each set of tyre is left for teams to use during the grand prix, after taking into account all of the laps done on the given set in practice and or qualifying.
The decision was taken after how the tyres performed in 2024, where anaylsis showed high wear, especially on the left front. To cut on doing an extra stop, teams extended the tyre life last year, which pushed the tyres to the extreme.
They don’t want a repeat in F1 2025 and so, a collective safety decision has been taken by Pirelli together with the FIA and F1. The step has been taken despite the hardest range – i.e C1, C2 and C3 – being used by Pirelli for the weekend.
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