P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pirelli has already imposed maximum stint lengths on its tyres in Qatar, but it has now discovered a new issue.
Pirelli recently discovered cuts on several F1 tyre sets after the on-track action in Qatar, following sprint qualifying.
This raised concerns about the tyre structure for the rest of the race weekend, leading to a maximum of 25 laps imposed on each tyre set due to expected wear at the Lusail circuit.
Differences from restrictions in the 2023 event were noted, as the cuts this year were caused by gravel brought onto the racing line by drivers seeking faster lap times on Friday.
Pirelli’s chief engineer, Simone Berra, highlighted that running across the gravel repeatedly could lead to punctures during the sprint race and grand prix, but less aggressively during longer race sessions.
The sharp gravel in Qatar, unlike other tracks, increased the risk of cuts on the tyres and potential punctures due to its sharper edges that had not been rounded off.
