P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Why new tyre shortage adds to F1 team headaches in three-stop Qatar GP
“While each set of tyres has a maximum distance of 18 laps, the strategy is more complex than simply stopping every 18 laps. Teams want to avoid pit stops at the same time to prevent traffic chaos, so staggered stops are preferred. However, there is a shortage of tyre options due to the sprint race format in Qatar. Teams have used up more sets of soft tyres than usual, leaving them with limited options of hards and mediums for the actual grand prix. Only four drivers have enough new sets of tyres, while others have a mix of used and new tyres. The number of laps each set of used tyres has done will play a crucial role in the race strategy. Some drivers have better tyre availability than others, with Max Verstappen having more strategic flexibility. However, Lewis Hamilton is more limited in terms of tyre availability, which could impact his race strategy. Despite the challenges, team figures believe that the FIA and Pirelli have managed the situation well.”
Source: motorsport
