F1 Announce Shock Rule Change for Qatar Grand Prix in Emergency Move
The Qatar Grand Prix will take place around the Lusail Circuit at the end of November.
A shock emergency rule change has reportedly been announced ahead of the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix.
This weekend, the 2025 season continues with the Las Vegas Grand Prix as the title race heads towards the business end.
Currently, Lando Norris leads McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by 24 points, with Max Verstappen third, 49 points adrift of the leader.
With just three races left in the season, Norris is in a commanding position to secure his maiden F1 world title.
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Following this weekend's race in Sin City, F1 will continue with the Qatar Grand Prix, taking place around the Lusail Circuit at the end of the month.
Ahead of the race in the Middle East, it has been claimed that an emergency rule change has been introduced.
As per Racing News 365, F1, the sport's governing body (The FIA) and tyre provider Pirelli have agreed on an emergency measure for the race in Qatar.
It has been suggested that drivers will only be allowed to run tyres for a maximum of 25 laps, a measure brought in to 'mitigate the danger of potential tyre blowouts'.
Ever since being added to the calendar, the Lusail Circuit has been known for having high tyre wear.
With the new rule in place, the Qatar Grand Prix, which will run for 57 laps, is now a guaranteed two-stopper.
In a statement, Pirelli said: "In Qatar, a limit will be introduced for the number of laps that each set of tyres can cover over the course of the whole race weekend. The decision, taken in agreement with the FIA and Formula 1 and discussed in regular meetings with the teams, is confirmed today by Pirelli through the usual technical document containing event-specific prescriptions sent out two weeks prior to each grand prix.
"Every set of tyres supplied to the teams at the start of the race weekend can cover a maximum of 25 laps of the Lusail track, which is very demanding on tyres in terms of energy, thermal stress and wear. The laps will be counted cumulatively across all track sessions, including laps run under the safety car or virtual safety car."
The statement went on to say that laps to the grid, formation laps and laps completed after the chequered flag in the sprint and the Grand Prix will not be included in the count.
Marcus Chan