What the Qatar F1 track changes look like
Reprofiled kerbs and gravel strips aim to prevent repetition of last year’s tyre dramas
Kerbs detail
Photo by: Uncredited
Seven of the Qatar Formula 1 circuit’s 16 corners now feature new kerb profiles after changes ahead of the 2023 race resulted in damage which forced the FIA to impose maximum stint lengths during the race.
The kerbs rose to sharp 50mm points on their inner edges, with a steep drop-off, the intention being to dissuade drivers from taking liberties with track limits. But the high-speed nature of this circuit, combined with the length of time the cars spend on the kerbs, meant the sharply angled profiles had the unintended consequence of causing microscopic separations in the tyres’ sidewalls.
As Motorsport.com can reveal here, each kerb has in effect been ‘shaved’ to give a flatter top surface and a less abrupt drop-off on the outside edge. Tyres should therefore be operating under less duress as they ride the kerbs in normal conditions – and have a less forceful impact with the ground if the driver strays over the edge.
Kerbs detail
Photo by: Uncredited
Kerbs detail
Photo by: Uncredited
F1’s official tyre supplier, Pirelli, replicated the new kerb profiles on the dynamic test beds at its Milan R&D base and is confident the solution is robust. The company already brings the hardest three compounds in its range – C1, C2 and C3 – to Qatar but the failures last year, which prompted the FIA to impose a maximum stint length of 18 laps, were claimed not to be a factor of compound type.
Since the original so-called ‘Misano’ kerbs were installed as a deterrent against exceeding track limits, the FIA has had to find an alternative solution. As such the circuit owners have installed narrow gravel strips on the outer boundaries of the reprofiled kerbs.
Photos from Qatar GP Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Thursday
Share Or Save This Story
Why Mercedes' Bahrain GP upgrade is still a "big question mark"
LIVE: F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia updates - Qualifying
Why Mercedes is still quicker than McLaren
Laurens Vanthoor holds off BMW to give Porsche historic IMSA Petit Le Mans win
IMSA Petit Le Mans finale lap-by-lap commentary and race updates
Corey Day prevails in jaw-dropping battle for NASCAR O'Reilly win at Las Vegas
MotoGP Japanese GP: Full starting grid
You Ask The Questions: Emerson Fittipaldi
The wide world of strategy options expected in F1's Bahrain GP in Malaysia
How drivers waiting in the wings can still make their presence count in F1
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments