Following the spectacle of the Mexican Grand Prix, which presented diverse tactical approaches, a recurring trend has been observed in recent races. George Russell characterized Formula 1 as essentially a sprint to the first corner, with the impact of turbulent air escalating and teams leaning towards the safest option – a solitary pit stop.
This season’s tyres, supplied by Pirelli, exhibit greater resilience than their predecessors, empowering drivers to exert more force while simultaneously diminishing tyre wear. This characteristic has diminished some pivotal strategic considerations for the teams.
“Pirelli often faces criticism regardless,” Russell commented in response to a question from Motorsport.com. “When there’s considerable tyre degradation, it’s dismissed as artificial, restricting drivers’ ability to push. Conversely, with minimal degradation, races are labelled as uneventful.
“Ideally, you’d want a tyre enabling maximum exertion throughout, yet not lasting the entire race. The perfect tyre would allow flat-out driving, but degrade rapidly after approximately 15 laps.”
The preceding five races have all culminated in victories achieved through a single pit stop strategy. Save for the unpredictable weather at Silverstone and a late safety car intervention at Zandvoort, the Austrian Grand Prix marked the last occasion where a two-stop strategy secured victory.
Past initiatives to foster two-stop races have largely been unsuccessful
Pirelli has explored the use of softer tyre compounds relative to the previous year, and has experimented with omitting certain compounds in its allocation – for example, providing the C1, C3, and C4 compounds instead of a sequence of three consecutive grades.
Despite these changes, teams consistently found ways to execute a one-stop strategy by skillfully managing their tyres. This was evident in Austin, where all competitors except Alex Albon completed the race with just one pit visit, despite Pirelli’s altered compound selection.
Alexander Albon was a rare two-stopper in Austin
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
“Teams invariably optimise their resources, which translates to minimising pit stops,” stated Mario Isola, Pirelli’s motorsport director. “This approach is logical, given the potential for errors during pit stops and the possibility of encountering traffic upon re-entry, resulting in further time loss.
“Teams prioritize minimising pit stop frequency, irrespective of its impact on the spectacle.”
To enrich the “show,” certain paddock insiders have proposed regulatory mandates for a minimum of two pit stops. Max Verstappen voiced this sentiment in Baku, asserting that enforcing two stops surpasses the utility of a tyre compound (C6) deemed “useless” in his estimation.
“Our objective is to enhance the viewing experience,” Isola communicated to Motorsport.com. “In my view, two pit stops introduce greater unpredictability and excitement. However, mandating such a strategy necessitates its formal inclusion in the regulations.”
Mandatory two pit stops may not suffice to create variance
The consideration of this matter has gained traction recently, surfacing during the drivers’ briefing at the Mexican Grand Prix. As per the FIA, this subject is slated for discussion at the forthcoming Sporting Advisory Committee (SAC) assembly, and Motorsport.com understands it will also be addressed within the Formula 1 Commission.
The FIA underscores that these concepts are embryonic, although multiple teams – and Liberty Media – appear receptive to exploring potential avenues for the upcoming year.
“Indeed, this has been a recurring topic,” Isola affirmed. “I recall previous team simulations. We engaged with stakeholders, including the FIA, Formula 1, and the teams, posing hypothetical scenarios: if these three compounds were selected for events A, B, C, D, and E, what strategic approaches would you anticipate? We requested the teams to conduct these simulations and provide us with the data, confidentially.
“Our analysis revealed a convergence in strategic choices among the majority of the teams, driven by the characteristics of the compounds – a soft capable of five laps, a medium suitable for 20, and a hard with extended durability. This effectively led to a replication of the same strategy. Consequently, imposing additional constraints risks homogenising approaches.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Mario Isola, Director of Pirelli F1
Photo by: Reginald Mathalone / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Elevating the frequency of pit stops can broaden the opportunities for strategic undercuts, but not inevitably diversify strategic options.
“The most compelling races are those where a two-stop strategy holds a distinct advantage, yet a courageous individual can still pursue an alternative,” Isola elaborated. “The previous year’s Monza race offered a prime illustration, with Charles Leclerc securing victory with a single stop while others adopted a two-stop approach. A similar situation unfolded at Spa with George, though such instances remain infrequent.”
Is allowing free choice of compound during two stop strategy better?
Should Formula 1 elect to transition towards two mandatory pit stops, several options are under evaluation. One direction involves maintaining the two-stop rule while eliminating the requirement to utilise different tyre compounds.
“We might also contemplate two stops without any stipulation to use distinct compounds, affording teams complete freedom in their selection,” Isola clarified.
“Teams could opt for medium, medium, medium configurations, provided they possess the requisite supply. Competitors at the rear of the grid might favour starting on hards to extend their initial stint. Those in the midfield could choose softs to navigate through traffic. Numerous permutations exist.”
Isola contends that this method would promote greater strategic diversity – a characteristic potentially stifled by the compound regulation even with two stops. Nonetheless, he stressed that such proposals necessitate further investigation if they are to be earnestly pursued by the FIA, Formula 1, and the teams.
Tyres in the McLaren garage
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
“Based on my experience of 15 years, if there is widespread agreement or a shared vision for the future, my suggestion is to designate several races for simulations, prompting teams to model their responses,” Isola proposed. “If this course is adopted, how would you react? Examining the variety of returned approaches could indicate the most promising path.”
“We shouldn’t risk damaging the present situation.”
As Formula 1 prepares for the 2026 season, two considerations merit attention. Firstly, the experiment involving two mandatory stops has not proven particularly successful in Monaco, although Isola counters by stating that “Monaco should not serve as a benchmark, due to the risk of drivers straying off-road,” referencing instances of drivers shortcutting the Nouvelle Chicane.
Advocates of this approach tend to favour the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where two stops were mandated for safety reasons. In conjunction with extreme heat, this resulted in physical distress for certain drivers, yet Liberty Media finds the concept of drivers pushing without the need for tyre conservation appealing.
The second point pertains to whether changes are necessary if the new cars can maintain closer proximity in 2026. Reduced turbulent air, stemming from Formula 1’s revised regulations, may render any intervention premature.
“Possibly, but I remain uncertain,” Isola conceded. “Generally, when contemplating a regulatory shift, collaboration is essential to avert unintended consequences.
“As mentioned, the next year will bring comprehensive alterations. While uncertainty prevails, possessing a framework at least provides the means to respond. It is crucial to acknowledge the positive state of the current championship and avoid jeopardising its integrity.”
A prospective two-stop rule is slated for further deliberation in upcoming meetings, with all stakeholders urged to maintain an open mind at this initial juncture.
We want to hear from you!
Let us know what you would like to see from us in the future.
Take our survey
– The Autosport.com Team
