Drivers raise concerns as Verstappen says tyre issues "never a good look" for F1
Max Verstappen says that safety concerns over tyre performance in Qatar is “never a good look” as drivers could be mandated to take three pit stops during Sunday’s grand prix.
Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, and Lando Norris during the post-sprint press conference on Saturday in Qatar. (FIA)
Speaking after Saturday's sprint race, Verstappen said that while he would wait to see how officials respond to the issues, he was surprised at how quickly action could be taken.
“I think it's never, of course, a good look for the sport,” said the three-time world champion when asked about the concerns.
“But let's first wait and see what they come up with, with the analysis after the sprint race, what the findings are.”
Officials from Pirelli and the FIA are working overnight to analyse tyres used in the sprint race to determine if they can be trusted to last more than 20 laps in Sunday’s grand prix.
“For sure, even in the sprint race, you could see that there was a lot of deg and the front tyre, especially the front left was wearing a lot,” said Verstappen.
“So yeah, it's very tough around here. Of course, they already changed two corners, in the high-speed corners, which I find quite interesting, like how quickly these things can be changed, when we speak about it, that we want to have track limits changed here and there with a white line or whatever, it's all very hard.”
“So I think, yeah, that's also something for the future that we need to speak about, because I think we need to be heard a bit more. And in general, I think tomorrow it's important, of course, that safety is foremost and that we don't get any punctures or even worse accidents, so let's see what happens tonight.”
Also present was Oscar Piastri, who won Saturday’s sprint race from pole position.
The Australian said he was willing to be cautious and follow any advice from the tyre supplier heading into Sunday.
“I think Pirelli, the FIA need to be sensible going into tomorrow,” said Piastri.
“Obviously if a tyre lets go through the high-speed section… Yes, there's quite a lot of run-off, but it's not a very enticing prospect. So yeah, we'll see what they do.”
“Obviously, it's not ideal for anybody to be in this position. But I think it's been at least encouraging that they've been willing to try things to keep us safe.”
“Obviously, it’d be preferable if that didn't happen in the first place. But you know, there's not much we can do about that now.”
More updates are expected before the Formula 1 field returns at 4am Monday (AEDT) for the Qatar Grand Prix.
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