There is a high likelihood that the debate over pit stop strategies in Formula 1 will continue. Rumours suggest that the sport is considering implementing two mandatory stops in the future. Many fans believe that races have become too predictable, precisely because teams rarely deviate from conventional strategies. During the Monaco Grand Prix, an experiment with a mandatory double pit stop was conducted, albeit with little success. However, tyre supplier Pirelli is open to new rules.
Although various strategies were employed during the Mexico City Grand Prix, most races this year have followed a recognizable pattern. Teams rarely take risks with alternative tyre choices, which can sometimes result in a lack of spectacle. George Russell recently hit the nail on the head – according to him, a Grand Prix these days is ‘a race to the first corner’. This is partly due to the current Pirelli tyres, which allow drivers to constantly push. Tyre degradation has often been minimal this season.
Pirelli has meanwhile experimented with new compounds, including an ultra-soft tyre. The supplier sometimes deliberately skips a compound in the allocation. For example, they chose the C1, C2, and C4 instead of three consecutive variants. “Teams always push themselves to the limit, and that means they try to limit the number of pit stops,” Pirelli boss Mario Isola explained to Autosport. “That makes sense; during a pit stop, you can make mistakes, and when you get back on track, you can get stuck in traffic and lose time.”
‘Better for the Show’
According to Isola, the problem is that teams always strive for minimal risks, not spectacle. “They’re not interested in the show,” he stated bluntly. Therefore, discussions are now underway about introducing two mandatory pit stops per Grand Prix – possibly with the requirement that all three compounds must be used. “I believe that two pit stops are better for the show because they create more unpredictability,” said Isola. “But you can’t force anyone unless the regulations require it.”
The question is whether such a measure would actually increase excitement. According to many drivers, the experiment in Monaco was a failure. “Shall we make four pit stops mandatory next year?”, Max Verstappen cynically sneered at the time. “It did absolutely nothing for us.” The FIA emphasizes that the plan is still only on the drawing board, although several teams would be willing to explore the possibilities for next year.
Further Research
“Yes, we have discussed this topic several times,” Isola admitted. “I remember simulations by teams that all came to the same conclusion – with the current tires, they achieved almost identical strategies. If you impose too many restrictions, you run the risk of everyone doing the same thing again.” Another option is to allow two pit stops without mandatory tire choice. “Then teams can decide for themselves what they use,” Isola explained. “You could, for example, drive three times on mediums, or – if you start at the back – start on hard tires to be able to go longer. There are many combinations possible, but that requires further research.”
Isola emphasized that such decisions are not made overnight. “My personal suggestion, based on fifteen years of experience, is to first simulate a number of races and see how teams respond. Do they come back with different strategies? Then we are on the right track.” However, the big question remains whether such changes are necessary at all. Perhaps the new cars of 2026 will automatically make for more spectacular races. “Maybe, but we don’t know,” Isola concluded. “Once we better understand what awaits us, we can always adjust. But we must be careful not to tinker with something that is actually working fine at the moment.”
