McLaren calls for a key rule change after the Qatar GP tire drama

The FIA threw quite a few curve balls toward the way of the F1 teams during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend.

McLaren calls for a key rule change after the Qatar GP tire drama

Andrea Stella and Lando Norris (Via IMAGO)

The 2023 Qatar GP was a must-see event for several reasons, including the out-of-the-blue mandatory three 18-lap tire stint decision taken by the FIA just a few hours ahead of the main race. Several teams were unhappy with the sudden decision, and the McLaren team principal, Andrea Stella, has called for better communication between the groups, FIA and F1, ahead of the US GP.

The surface at the Lusail International Circuit was immensely hard on the tires, and the Pirelli engineers found out that microscopic cuts were forming on the tires during the running at the track. In light of this, the FIA decided to jump in ahead of the main race and decided to take the drastic action of having only 18 lap stints.

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This threw the whole F1 paddock into utter chaos a few hours ahead of the main race, and the teams were forced to revisit their tire strategies. Stella believes such situations should be avoided with rule changes. He said, as reported by Racingnews.360, “Certainly there are opportunities to improve when you have various stakeholders [in charge]. You face a situation that I’m sure must have been a bit of an emergency after finding some evidence, then the escalation is dealt with at a technical level, then at a sporting level by Pirelli and the FIA.”

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He added, “I’m sure they must have felt like we needed to deal with this urgently. But at the same time, it’s very important that you keep all the key stakeholders in the loop and informed and you allow them to contribute. I think it’s an opportunity to review the communication lines. I’m sure everyone is trying their best; there’s no doubt from this point of view.“

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McLaren had a terrific outing at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix

While Andrea Stella has shared his opinion on the difficulties that the teams faced during the Qatar GP, his outfit had an evening to remember during the 54-lap race. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were at their level best, and this is one of the reasons why the Woking-based team was able to secure a brilliant P2 and P3 finish behind Max Verstappen.

Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, and, Lando Norris (Credits: Imago)
Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, and, Lando Norris (Credits: Imago)

Moreover, with their terrific outing, McLaren is now in touching distance of fourth place in the Constructors Championship. The Lawrence Stroll-owned Aston Martin F1 team has so far managed 230 points in the standings, whereas McLaren is currently on 219 points. At this week’s US GP, they will have very chance of getting hold of fourth place.

The two MCL60s have been able to take the fight to Red Bull in the last few races, and considering the track characteristics of the Circuit of the Americas, it could suit the McLaren car. If this certainly happens to be the case, it would most probably become almost impossible for Aston Martin to stay in fourth at the end of the US GP.

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