Sharp tire cuts at Lusail raise safety concerns

These cuts have been traced back to newly installed and extended gravel traps placed around the Losail International Circuit, designed to deter drivers from exceeding track limits. The gravel is dragged onto the racing line by cars running wide, creating sharp hazards for tires.

Gravel traps and track modifications

In 2025, circuit operators at Losail added gravel traps to critical corners, including turns six, ten, fourteen, and sixteen, extending the gravel coverage compared to previous years. While meant to enhance safety by discouraging drivers from running off-track, these gravel strips have an unintended consequence of scattering sharp stones onto the racing surface, increasing the risk of tire damage.

Potential for race interruptions

Pirelli’s chief engineer, Simone Berra, cautioned that although the cuts have not yet caused tire failures, repeated contact with sharp gravel could lead to punctures during the race. If tire damage becomes significant, race control may need to intervene, potentially through safety cars or red flags to clean the track of dangerous debris. Teams will have to carefully monitor tire conditions and adopt cautious strategies to mitigate puncture risks.

Ongoing monitoring and safety measures

Pirelli and the FIA are closely watching the evolving situation at the Qatar GP. The situation remains under assessment, with possible measures including increased minimum tire pressures and limits on tire stint lengths already introduced to reduce risks. While the gravel traps compromise tire safety, no immediate changes have been announced, but track cleaning during the race remains a plausible necessity for driver safety.