Why F1 drivers were frustrated with FIA, Pirelli over Qatar safety changes

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has revealed why F1 drivers were frustrated over the communication of the Qatar Grand Prix tyre issues.

A raft of safety measures were introduced ahead of Saturday's Sprint Shootout session to combat concerns raised by Pirelli following Friday's practice and qualifying, where separation was found between the carcass cords and topping compound in the tyre sidewalls.

Track limit changes were made, whilst a mandatory 18-lap tyre life has been implemented for the race following further communication on Sunday.

But drivers were left unhappy by the information provided on Saturday, with a Grand Prix Drivers' Association meeting called by Chairman Alex Wurz to discuss matters.

Not how things should be done

Explaining the frustration in conversation before a final judgement was made on the race safety measures, Sainz told media including RacingNews365.com: "I don't appreciate and don't like that we were here in '21 and in the meantime, there have been two years to react to these bad kerbs.

"For some reason, the FIA persisted with this design of kerbs that are killing Pirelli tyres - not blaming Pirelli - but at the same time, clearly there's something going on there.

"We arrived in the morning and we see the news in the press, with no one informing us there will be track limit [changes], no one tells us the tyre is delaminating or anything like that and we have to learn things from the press, which is clearly not how things should be done.

"The GPDA, we were not happy with the situation and we hope that the collaboration starts getting better because if not, reading things in the press when our safety is involved and our input should be considered... it is not good enough."