Qatar GP: Pirelli increases tyre pressures by 1 PSI after sharp gravel causes deep cuts. Pirelli has increased tyre pressures by 1 PSI at the Qatar GP.

Pirelli, in agreement with the FIA, has raised tyre pressures by 1 PSI at both the front and rear. The front tyres must now run at 29 PSI, while the rears will be set to 24.5 PSI. The decision was taken for safety reasons, with the aim of preventing punctures after deep cuts were discovered on the tread surface due to very sharp gravel.

Pirelli received authorization from the FIA to increase the minimum tyre pressures by 1 PSI after an alarm was raised in the Lusail paddock. The issue emerged when several tyres were found damaged during sprint qualifying, caused by extremely sharp stones in the gravel beds placed on the outside of certain corners to discourage track-limit violations.

In an official statement from the sole tyre supplier, the inflation pressure for the front tyres has been increased to 29 PSI, while the rear tyres now have a minimum value of 24.5 PSI. The decision was actually taken last night after Mario Isola’s technicians examined tyres that showed deep cuts extending from the tread all the way to the carcass.

As a result, during the 19-lap Sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix, drivers will find themselves dealing with cars that feel more unstable and will need to adapt to setup changes introduced purely for safety. The FIA and Pirelli agreed that, if frequent off-track excursions drag gravel onto the racing line, Race Control may deploy the Safety Car or even show a red flag to clear the asphalt.

Tyres in Doha are subjected to exceptionally high lateral loads, with significant G-forces acting through the fast corners that are taken at speeds exceeding 250 km/h. Pirelli wants to ensure that punctures do not occur at the most dangerous points of the circuit.

The Milan-based engineers are confident that, in the race, drivers generally push less than they do during a single qualifying lap. Because of this, off-track moments should be more limited. However, the increase in tyre pressure could make the cars more prone to understeer on corner entry, potentially causing the very long run-offs that both Pirelli and the FIA want to avoid.

Either way, tyre management has just become an even bigger talking point for the remainder of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend.