Pirelli Investigates Qatar GP Tire Failures, Rules Out Mirror Debris

Pirelli now believes that the tire failures during the Qatar Grand Prix were not caused by debris from a mirror run over by Valtteri Bottas. Detailed investigations indicate that both Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz experienced pressure loss prior to encountering the debris, prompting a closer examination of other potential causes for the failures.

Pirelli now asserts that the tire failures experienced by Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz during the Qatar Grand Prix were not the result of debris from a shattered mirror run over by Valtteri Bottas. Both drivers suffered front left tire punctures almost simultaneously, coinciding with the incident involving Albon’s mirror, which had scattered debris on the track. However, a thorough investigation has revealed that telemetry data indicates both drivers lost tire pressure prior to encountering any debris on the track.

Pirelli’s chief engineer, Simone Berra, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing at their facility in Milan, focusing on identifying the actual cause of the failures. Preliminary analysis shows that the punctures took place at different locations on the circuit. “Basically, these punctures happened on other places of the circuit, because of other debris, or for other reasons,” Berra stated. While the exact reasons for the tire failures are yet to be fully understood, Pirelli is conducting detailed checks on the tires to ascertain their condition.

Furthermore, Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, echoed Pirelli’s findings, noting that video data revealed Hamilton began to lose tire pressure before he ran over the mirror debris. He emphasized that their findings do not entirely rule out the possibility of Hamilton picking up debris elsewhere on the track. The demanding nature of the Qatar circuit, particularly the significant forces placed on the front left tire, increases vulnerability to damage, particularly when tire wear is maximized.

In summary, while the investigation continues, it is clear that the incidents experienced by both drivers were not directly linked to the mirror debris, urging further examination to determine other potential causes for the tire failures.

The Qatar Grand Prix has been a topic of scrutiny following tire failures suffered by notable drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz. Initial assumptions suggested that the failures could be attributed to debris from a broken mirror, but subsequent investigations conducted by Pirelli have complicated this narrative. The presence of telemetry data indicating pressure loss prior to encountering debris has shifted the focus of the investigation to other potential causes, underscoring the complexities involved in tire performance in high-stakes racing environments.

The conclusion of Pirelli’s ongoing investigation suggests that the tire failures experienced during the Qatar Grand Prix were unlikely the result of mirror debris. Both telemetry data and analysis from Pirelli and Mercedes indicate that pressure loss occurred prior to the interaction with the debris. This development calls for further scrutiny into the performance of tires under the demanding conditions presented by the Losail circuit and other factors contributing to tire vulnerabilities during the race.

Original Source: www.autosport.com