This feature is currently not available because you need to provide consent to functional cookies. Please update your
News
Pirelli share initial findings from Qatar GP tyre issue investigations
Pirelli have shared their initial findings from investigations into tyre deflations that took place during the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix.
In Qatar, four F1 drivers – Nicholas Latifi and George Russell of Williams, McLaren's Lando Norris, and Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas – suffered tyre issues, with Bottas and Latifi ultimately retiring from the race.
The tyre supplier have now released their first conclusions from their Qatar GP investigations.
In a statement released on Friday, they said: "Based on the findings obtained so far, the origin of the problem is mainly due to the amount of time these tyres were run on the kerbs, at high speed and with considerable lateral and vertical loads: a situation unique to the Losail circuit.
"The heavy demand caused by running over these kerbs, which isn't possible to measure from the data available before the race, damaged the tyre construction and led to a loss of pressure in the internal sidewall, which consequently caused the structure to collapse after several seconds."
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
News Sargeant hoping his Williams has no major damage after late gravel trap trip at Suzuka
News Bottas pleased with Kick Sauber’s pace progress as Zhou rues ‘disappointing start of the year’ after Japan DNF
News Alonso signs new deal with Aston Martin to end speculation over F1 future
FeatureF1 Unlocked HINCH’S HEROES: Who does Indycar star James Hinchcliffe reckon was super at Suzuka?