Heat, Tyres, and Triumph: Inside the 2023 Qatar GP
Published on Medium: https://medium.com/@kanzahmak/heat-tyres-and-triumph-inside-the-2023-qatar-gp-f935d6fe89dc
A champion crowned. A rookie’s sensational performance witnessed. The Qatar GP will be etched in history as the host of Max Verstappen’s third consecutive world championship and Oscar Piastri’s first sprint race victory. Yet, despite being the host of such incredible milestones, the 2023 Qatar GP also marked unique tire rules, countless track limit violations, and intense heat that left drivers exhausted and unable to get out of their cars post-race.
Ahead of the race, Pirelli's tire restrictions, with a mandated limit of 18 laps per set, transformed the race into a flat-out battle. The extended track limits in Turns 12 and 13 added another layer of complexity. However, these rules led to a frenzy of violations as drivers grappled to shield their tires from kerb damage. The aftermath was a series of penalties, leaving drivers like Sergio Perez frustrated with the enforcement process. Before his first pit stop on lap 17, Perez had advanced to third, and he was making his way back into the points when he was levied his first five-second penalty, which he had to accept at his subsequent pit stop. Later, he was hit with another penalty for his final stop. His race time was later increased by his third penalty, moving him from ninth to tenth in the final standings.
He said, “I also think it was a joke what we ended up doing with the track limits. First of all, I think that it is really bad that we come up with a solution last minute to police it. Then to start giving penalties away.”
The frustrations voiced by Perez and others emphasized a larger issue — the need for a comprehensive solution to track limits in Formula 1.
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari, concurred, highlighting the track's layout and post-kerb areas as essential factors. He stressed the urgency of finding a resolution, emphasising that such issues mar the championship's level. “I don't want to go on this field and to speak about investment, but we are coming to Qatar, they are doing a mega effort to organise the event,” said Vasseur. Although the situation mirrored past challenges faced in Austria, Vasseur acknowledged Pirelli's appropriate response.
In a significant development, Pirelli secured a new contract with Formula 1 until the end of the 2027 season, outmanoeuvring rival Bridgestone. This agreement not only ensures continued tire supply but also aligns with F1's commitment to sustainability. Starting in 2024, F1 tires will be certified by the Forest Steward Council, marking a pivotal step towards F1's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, a vision lauded by FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The mandated tyre limit, coupled with brutal humidity and the high-speed nature of Lusail, pushed drivers to their limits, resulting in several needing medical attention. One driver, Logan Sargeant, had his race ended prematurely due to exhaustion. Sargeant was already “weakened by flu-like symptoms” at the start of the week with the race exacerbating his symptoms.
His teammate, Alex Albon, was “treated for acute heat exposure” after the race, and Esteban Ocon battled sickness throughout. He said, “I was throwing up for two laps inside the cockpit.” Several other drivers also faced exhaustion. As dangerous as Formula 1 is, and as passionate as the drivers are, conditions were beyond gruelling, and it prompts reflections on race scheduling and driver welfare.
Looking ahead, the Qatar GP is slated for the first week of December 2024, promising cooler weather and renewed determination from drivers and teams. As the dust settles from the 2023 race, the lessons learned will shape a more resilient and prepared grid for the challenges that lie ahead.
