Russell started the 57-lap run around Losail Circuit from second place but a superior launch for team-mate Hamilton, who lined up third on soft tyres, brought the pair together into the first corner. Hamilton tried to move round the outside but clipped Russell, who was sent spinning. He then pitted before battling his way back to fourth place in an intensely humid encounter. Without the crash …Keep reading
F1 last had tyre competition in 2001-2006 after Michelin arrived to take on Bridgestone, the Japanese company having been on its own for two seasons following the departure of Goodyear.From 2007, Bridgestone was the sole supplier for four seasons before Pirelli returned to the series in that role in 2011, after an absence of two decades.FEATURE: Why tyre wars have largely become a thing of the …Keep reading
The latest contract, which also covers the supply of F2 and F3, includes an option from the FIA and F1 side for a fourth season in 2028.The announcement comes just a few days after the FIA had to mandate a maximum of 18-lap stints in the Qatar GP due to tyre issues, as Pirelli identified a microscopic separation in the sidewall between the topping compound and the carcass cordsThe tender process …Keep reading
The excessive heat and flat-out nature of the race at Losail on Sunday left drivers facing one of the biggest challenges of their careers, which they described as “hell” and “torture”. Logan Sargeant had to retire with heatstroke, Esteban Ocon was sick in his helmet, Lance Stroll said he passed out several times and other racers struggled to make it to the chequered flag before needing to go to …Keep reading
Drivers are super fit athletes, and thus the state of some of them when they met the media having walked straight from parc ferme told its own story.Others were careful to quietly head back to their team hospitality buildings, catch their breath, change out of their soaking overalls and have a shower. They then returned to undertake media duties feeling a little more refreshed.Two never made it …Keep reading
Verstappen, who was crowned a three-time world champion over the weekend, led the Qatar Grand Prix from lights-to-flag.But the weekend’s main talking point was Pirelli mandating 18-lap stints for tyres after tears were found in the sidewall from drivers running over kerbs.While the kerbs were built to FIA standard, with their 50mm raised ‘pyramid’ outer edge, they were new for 2023 and the …Keep reading
An unseasonably hot race and tricky track conditions created an enthralling Qatar Grand Prix weekend, as Formula 1’s 2023 crown was finally claimed by Max Verstappen.Qatar made its second appearance as the host of an F1 grand prix, following the 2022 hiatus necessitated by its hosting of the FIFA World Cup, and delivered an exciting spectacle throughout the weekend bolstered by an explosive …Keep reading
F1’s official tyre supplier was forced to take action along with the FIA after microscopic analysis of tyres used in Qatar revealed a sidewall separation that could have led to failures.Pirelli suspected the problem was caused by the battering that tyres were taking at high loads from the pyramid kerbs that had been installed around the revamped Losail circuit.To avoid the risk of any danger to …Keep reading
In a physically gruelling Qatar Grand Prix where some drivers were reportedly close to passing out and others taken to the medical centre in the extreme heat, Perez climbed from a pitlane start to score a point in 10th place.His pitlane start followed being taken out in a Saturday sprint race shunt with Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg. This required extensive repairs and new power unit parts …Keep reading
Hamilton tangled with Russell into Turn 1 at the start of the Losail race, being spat out into the gravel by the contact that broke his right-rear wheel and ended his race.While the race was under the safety car Hamilton then crossed the live circuit from the outside of Turn 1 to the pitlane on the inside, just seconds before Russell emerged from the pits.The FIA stewards heard from an apologetic …Keep reading