Pirelli Concludes Qatar GP Tyre Failures Not Due to Mirror Debris

Pirelli now asserts that the tyre failures in the Qatar GP were likely not caused by debris from a damaged mirror, as both Hamilton and Sainz experienced pressure loss prior to any contact with the debris. The investigation continues to determine the actual cause of the failures, with thorough testing being conducted.

Pirelli’s investigation into the tyre failures during the Qatar Grand Prix has led to the conclusion that the punctures suffered by Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz were unlikely to have been caused by debris from an overrun mirror, as previously suspected. Both drivers experienced front left tyre failures close in time while racing, coinciding with debris from a mirror that had been damaged by Valtteri Bottas. However, subsequent analysis has indicated that the drivers were already encountering pressure losses before coming into contact with the debris.

Pirelli’s chief engineer, Simone Berra, has reported that telemetry data collected post-race shows clear evidence of pressure loss prior to Bottas’ interaction with the mirror. Berra stated, “Looking at the telemetry data, obviously we noticed that the pressure loss was before Bottas hit the mirror on the straight.” The investigation will continue at Pirelli’s Milan facility, where thorough testing of the returned Qatar tyres is being conducted to identify the underlying issues.

Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, echoed this sentiment, noting that both video and data confirmed that Hamilton began losing pressure before any mirror debris was involved: “Surprisingly, we can see Lewis start to lose pressure prior to the mirror being hit by Valtteri.” The upcoming tests are significant for understanding whether the tyre failures were due to other forms of debris or the challenging conditions of the Qatar circuit, which places tremendous strain on the front left tyres. Until results are obtained, the exact cause remains undetermined, but both Pirelli and Mercedes are working diligently to find answers.

The Qatar Grand Prix has been scrutinized due to two notable tyre failures experienced by drivers Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz during the race. Initial theories attributed the failures to debris from a damaged mirror, leading to widespread speculation and concern over safety and tyre integrity. The Pirelli team began an immediate investigation into the issue, analyzing telemetry data and conducting tests on the tyres to determine the true cause of the failures, balancing the insights of their findings against the conditions of the race weekend.

Pirelli’s ongoing investigation suggests that the tyre failures experienced by Hamilton and Sainz in the Qatar Grand Prix were not the result of mirror debris. Detailed telemetry analysis indicated that both drivers were already experiencing pressure loss before encountering the debris. The findings are critical for understanding the cause of the failures to ensure driver safety and improve racing conditions in the future.

Original Source: www.autosport.com