The Qatar Grand Prix will host the final Sprint weekend of the 2024 Formula 1 season, with the Lusail International Circuit as the stage. Pirelli has unveiled the tire compounds that will play a pivotal role in team strategies for this penultimate race of the championship.
HARDER COMPOUNDS FOR QATAR
Unlike the previous race in Las Vegas, where the softest compounds were used, Qatar will see the hardest selection. Pirelli will bring the C1 as hard (white-marked), the C2 as medium (yellow-marked), and the C3 as soft (red-marked).
Due to the Sprint format, the tire allocation is reduced from 13 to 12 sets:
- 2 sets of hard tires
- 4 sets of medium tires
- 6 sets of soft tires
The number of wet-weather tires remains unchanged, with five intermediate sets and two for extreme rain.
LESSONS FROM 2023
The 2023 Qatar Grand Prix provided valuable insights for Pirelli and the FIA, after lap limits were imposed on each tire set (maximum of 18 laps) due to issues with the circuit’s curbs. This forced drivers to make at least three pit stops during the race.
For 2024, adjustments were made to the curbs at seven key corners, including turns 1, 4, and the complex section from turns 12 to 14, which caused excessive wear on the tire sidewalls last year.
TECHNICAL PREPARATION AND TESTING
Pirelli Motorsport engineers conducted extensive testing in their Milan laboratories, using samples of the new curbs designed by the FIA. Additionally, data from recent test sessions with older cars confirmed that these changes will mitigate the issues faced in 2023.
Another significant adjustment was the addition of gravel strips at the exits of certain corners, a measure to prevent drivers from exceeding track limits.
STRATEGY AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
This year’s conditions in Qatar will differ as the race takes place later in the season. While humidity may be lower, temperatures could still affect tire thermal degradation, complicating strategic decisions.
In 2021, under different circumstances, some drivers opted for a single-stop strategy, while others, like Hamilton and Verstappen, used two-stop strategies to fight for victory. This highlights that tire management will be critical in Lusail, especially with the return of the Sprint format.
A UNIQUE CHALLENGE TO CLOSE THE YEAR
The 2024 Qatar Grand Prix will not only test the skills of drivers but also the adaptability of teams. Tires will play a decisive role on a circuit that promises unique challenges and a strategic battle for the final championship points.
