Pirelli discovers deep cuts on tyres after Qatar sprint qualifying – safety concerns for Sunday?. Pirelli found sharp gravel-induced cuts on almost every car’s tyres..

Once again the Qatar Grand Prix weekend is making headlines for tyre drama. Following Friday’s sprint qualifying session, Pirelli technicians identified multiple cuts on the tread of several cars – damage caused by sharp gravel dragged onto the racing line.

For 2025 the Lusail circuit received further modifications, with additional gravel traps installed in several corners to discourage track-limits abuse. Combine that with Pirelli’s strict 25-lap maximum usage rule per set – introduced after last year’s high-speed blowouts – and the stage was set for a cautious approach.

Unfortunately, the new gravel strips are already proving troublesome. When drivers run wide, stones are flicked back onto the ideal line, acting like tiny blades against the rubber. Pirelli’s head of F1 and car racing, Simone Berra, confirmed the issue to the media, including ScuderiaFans.com.

“We found several cuts on the tread – every single car that went off was affected,” Simone Berra explained.

“It’s mainly down to the gravel traps here. Compared to last year they’ve added three or four more, and when drivers push to the absolute limit they bring gravel onto the racing line. We’ve seen some pretty deep cuts – a few were extremely deep.”

“The gravel here is particularly sharp; it cuts the tyre surface more easily than at most other circuits,” he added.

Pirelli’s plan heading into the grand prix

The situation needs close monitoring. A sudden deflation at over 320 km/h on one of Qatar’s long straights could have serious safety implications. Fortunately, Pirelli insists there is no immediate panic, but the risk cannot be ignored. Contingency plans include deploying the safety car or even a red flag to sweep the track clear if required.

“I’ve seen cuts that go all the way down to the carcass. Luckily none have reached the cords yet, but once the carcass is exposed and you keep running over more gravel you risk a puncture,” Berra continued.

“In qualifying and the sprint the drivers explore the limits far more aggressively than they do in the grand prix. During the race they tend to stay on the clean line, so the problem could actually be less severe. That said, we’ll be keeping a very close eye on everything.”

“Right now we’re not worried,” he concluded. “But we have to consider every possible scenario during the sprint or the grand prix – whether the situation could damage tyres further or lead to punctures. The FIA will constantly monitor the amount of gravel on track and is ready to use a red flag or safety car to clean it if necessary.”

All in all, it adds another layer of intrigue to a Qatar weekend that already carries massive stakes – not least Lando Norris holding his first mathematical chance to seal the 2025 drivers’ world championship on Sunday night.