FIA bring in sudden new rule for Qatar Grand Prix due to ‘Safety Car frequency’

The FIA have introduced a sudden new rule change ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Lusail International Circuit will play host this evening to 17th race of the 2023 Formula One calendar, with the Drivers' Championship having already been wrapped up by Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

The Dutch racer claimed his third consecutive F1 title on Saturday after he finished second in the sprint race. With team-mate Sergio Perez, the only driver who could possibly wrestle the title away from Verstappen, crashing out on the eleventh lap of the sprint, the 26-year-old was able to toast his third championship after the race had concluded.

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And ahead of his victory procession out in Qatar, for which Verstappen is on pole for, the FIA have implemented a new rule change in order to reduce 'Safety Car Frequency'. Earlier today, it was announced that the Qatar Grand Prix will be a three-stop race, with teams being mandated a maximum of 18-lap stints.

An FIA statement read: "Due to the frequency of Safety Car interventions in yesterday’s Sprint, the tyre data available for analysis by Pirelli was insufficient to add to that already undertaken following previous track sessions. In some cases, tyres that were analysed from the Sprint did show the initial onset of the separation in the sidewall between the topping compound and the carcass cords of the tyres."

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"As was the case in Free Practice 1, this issue has likely been caused by the high-frequency interference between the tyre sidewall and the 50mm ‘pyramid’ kerbs used extensively at this circuit, aggravated by the propensity to ride those kerbs."

The statement continued to detail and outline the reasons for the rule change, which has led to "a mandatory limit of 18 laps of total tyre life per set" being imposed upon teams.

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Additionally, "any car deemed to have exceeded the tyre life lap limit will be reported to the Stewards as being run in an unsafe condition."

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