The FIA have made several last-minute changes to tyre use for the Qatar Grand Prix amid fears that rubber may otherwise explode. They found in some tyres used for about 20 laps ‘a separation between the topping compound and the carcass cords’. If the problems persist, they will mandate three stops for Sunday’s full-distance race, which would mean no tyres being deployed for more than 20 laps, plus in and out-laps. ‘It is the view of the FIA and Pirelli that a significant number of additional laps on these tyres could result in circumferential damage of the tyres with subsequent air loss, and tyres analysed with lower lap numbers showed a much-reduced extent of the issue.

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