McLaren has expressed growing concern that the tyre issues seen at the Qatar Grand Prix may shape the outcome of a close championship battle. The Losail International Circuit has always placed heavy stress on tyres, but the 2025 event introduced additional complications. Ahead of the weekend, F1 and the FIA imposed a maximum limit of twenty five laps per tyre set to reduce the risk of failures. Even with this cap, several tyres showed deep cracks after the first sessions, prompting further scrutiny.
The cracks were linked to sharper gravel than usual brought onto the circuit from a newly added gravel trap. As drivers ran wide or hit kerbs, pieces of this gravel migrated onto the racing line. At the same time, lap times were significantly quicker than both last year’s race and current simulation data. Pirelli responded by increasing the minimum tyre pressures by one psi before the sprint. These combined factors created uncertainty over how the tyres would behave across the race distance.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown spoke openly about the risks after the nineteen lap sprint. He said the team identified cracks on some tyres and highlighted that previous Qatar races had shown similar issues. He noted that a loss caused by tyre failure would be outside the team’s control and that randomness could directly influence the championship. Brown pointed out that gravel being dragged onto the kerbs by other cars was a major concern and that clean driving across the field would be necessary to reduce the risk.
Driver feedback added to the unease. Oscar Piastri reported vibrations during the sprint despite no lockups or visible damage. He said that such vibrations were unusual and raised questions about tyre stability. He noted that front tyre failures were the more immediate safety concern, although a rear failure would still be disruptive. George Russell reported vibrations late in the sprint as well. These symptoms are likely tied to uneven wear generated by the circuit’s layout and repeated load cycles through its high speed corners.
Pirelli offered a calmer assessment. Motorsport director Mario Isola acknowledged the presence of cracks but said the number appeared lower than on the first day. He noted that the two mandatory stops for the race would reduce the likelihood of failures because no tyre would be pushed beyond the prescribed limit. Pirelli does not expect the situation to deteriorate, although the unique gravel issue remains part of the track’s conditions.
For McLaren, the central issue is the unpredictability introduced by factors unrelated to performance. With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both in the championship fight, avoiding failures caused by external conditions is a priority. The cracks, gravel migration and rising pressures place a level of risk on the race that teams cannot fully manage from the pit wall. With Verstappen close enough in points to mount a final challenge, McLaren wants the title fight settled on pace rather than circumstance.
Qualifying placed both McLaren drivers in a strong position, with Piastri on pole and Norris second. Verstappen followed in third, setting the stage for a decisive final battle. Whether tyre behaviour stays stable enough to allow a clean contest remains the main question heading into the race.
