Formulation 1 heads into the unknown within the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.
Doubtlessly, unprecedented tyre guidelines could possibly be enforced to keep away from the chance of dramatic punctures and dangerous crashes on the high-speed Losail venue.
The choice on whether or not that fairly embarrassing state of affairs for F1 might come to pass will be revealed after 2pm local time on Sunday and a key assembly between the FIA, Pirelli, the F1 organisation itself and the groups.
With the findings of Pirelli’s evaluation of the situation of the tyres used within the Qatar dash race following the speedy monitor modifications made right here on Saturday not but identified, there’s a stark lack of knowledge accessible for potential GP predictions. The numerous interruptions of the dash race and the dash weekend’s differing timetable have mixed to scale back that information even additional.
On the time of writing, we don’t even know the foundations for Sunday’s motion, so we will solely look forward on the belief the race will run as regular.
In spite of everything, Pirelli and the FIA hoped that by portray the kerbs at Turns 13 and 14 80cm additional out into the monitor, the chance of the tyre sidewalls separating from topping compounds and carcass cords might be eradicated.
So, right here goes. Bear in mind Friday evening qualifying’s monitor limits farrago? Effectively, that has created the most important threat to Max Verstappen’s probabilities of dominating the second Qatar GP total, and second race of this weekend. And whereas he stays the overwhelming favorite given his RB19 performs greatest in race situations and he’s already topped GP qualifying, all of it centres on Mercedes.
Sergio Perez being knocked out in Q2 on Friday after going past monitor limits at Flip 5 means he begins down in thirteenth. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri dropping their greatest Q3 occasions for a similar transgression – though of their respective {cases} at Turns 10 and 14 – means they line up tenth and sixth and never second and fourth. Of their place, George Russell (who would’ve edged Piastri regardless on this occasion) and Lewis Hamilton are boosted to line up behind GP polesitter Verstappen.
A late shuffle for monitor restrict breaches places each Mercedes instantly behind polesitter Verstappen for the Qatar GP
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
The newly topped triple world champion – but once more – now has no rear gunner. This robotically will increase his win jeopardy. And the start of the sprint that Piastri won reveals he’s fairly weak anyway.
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Within the dash race, Verstappen began third however dropped to fifth by Flip 2 getting “eaten up” by the additional grip afforded to Russell and the Ferrari pair because of that trio beginning on the softs.
The purple walled tyres should not more likely to be a race consideration at this high-tyre-energy venue, but when the GP prime three starters are cut up on beginning tyres throughout the medium and laborious compounds, then there may be the potential for a repeat given the slippery recent monitor floor right here.
It could subsequently make logical sense for Mercedes to separate its beginning tyre technique if in any respect doable, with both Russell or Hamilton choosing mediums and hoping Verstappen begins on hards.
“I am battling [Verstappen]. I’ll give it every thing to try to battle him. Possibly like George stated, he’ll simply disappear. However possibly we’ll be capable of battle” Lewis Hamilton
In any case, it makes extra sense for the second Mercedes to take the more durable rubber, as Russell has much less floor to cowl with a possible grip benefit if Pink Bull opts for Verstappen beginning on hards. In fact, there may be an apparent get out for Pink Bull to tackle this entrance…
Certainly, Russell fears “waving him goodbye after Flip 1”, however in the identical Friday evening press convention his team-mate was talking in, Hamilton wasn’t having any of it. He’s clear if there’s even the slightest alternative to assault Verstappen, he and Mercedes ought to take it.
“I am battling [Verstappen] for certain,” stated Hamilton. “I’ll give it every thing to try to battle him. Possibly like George stated, he’ll simply disappear – like he does in a lot of the different races. However possibly we’ll be capable of battle.”
The freshly laid monitor floor added to the chaotic begin of the Qatar dash
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
So, let’s think about Mercedes will get its need, will get caught in and even leads with each automobiles following the opening exchanges. These could possibly be “carnage”, per Norris, because the low-grip Losail monitor floor contributed to the various dash lap one slips and slides – in Liam Lawson’s case, into the gravel solo initially of the dash.
Even Verstappen had a large dash Flip 1 wobble, which value him essential early momentum towards the Ferrari drivers, regardless of him being certain “the primary few laps, they have been flying, however I used to be like ‘okay, I am going to see you in just a few laps.’”
There may be additionally a pertinent lesson to think about on this total hypothetical from Carlos Sainz’s latest victory for Ferrari in Singapore.
That is that to beat Pink Bull’s predicted tyre degradation benefit, with the dash displaying Mercedes has a tempo and tyre degradation edge “benefit over Ferrari” based on Russell, the Mercedes pair’s greatest hope will come from working carefully collectively.
Somebody doing as Charles Leclerc did, and making an alternate beginning tyre gambit to make a Flip 1 cross, springs to thoughts. So too does Sainz’s canny late Singapore DRS techniques to tow alongside Norris final month.
There was a substantial headwind blowing down the primary straight right here at Losail all weekend, which naturally will increase DRS efficiency. Making intelligent use of that device throughout two main automobiles could possibly be helpful for Mercedes, as would certainly one of both Russell or Hamilton holding up Verstappen if the chance arises for the Brackley squad right this moment.
Once more, a transparent counter level to that is to recall Pink Bull’s personal DRS and straightline velocity prowess this yr, which implies Verstappen stays more likely to simply carve his approach out of any shock problem. However Mercedes, and anybody else, can nonetheless dream.
Saturday’s dash confirmed that security automobile interruptions are extremely doubtless within the GP – the monitor is simply so low on grip and overtaking is feasible, elevating the potential for battles and subsequently contact – particularly if medium and laborious beginning methods are cut up throughout the sector, as they have been with the gentle and mediums yesterday.
Whereas most could intention for a two-stop race, the FIA might have to implement three-stop methods on the filed on security grounds
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mercedes should ace its calls on pitting in what might be a multi-stop race whatever the doable mandated tyre necessities. The temperatures and floor sliding meant Sainz noticed “even on the formation lap I might see graining”.
After which there’s the query of Verstappen versus Hamilton in battle as soon as once more. They’ve already clashed as soon as in a race the place the title had already been sealed and Russell ended up because the beneficiary.
On a day the place F1 might break new floor, there’s an opportunity some {old} steps would possibly simply be retrodden too.
Verstappen has made it clear he will not be easing off after sealing his third F1 world title in Saturday’s dash
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images