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F1 Weighs Mandatory Two Pit Stops for 2026

Regulators are weighing tyre-rule tweaks to curb extreme management, aiming to promote flat-out racing.

Overview

  • The FIA and Liberty Media are evaluating a rule that would require two pit stops per race from 2026, with backing from some teams but no final decision.
  • Proposals under review include forcing use of all three Pirelli compounds, allowing free compound choice with two stops, or capping each tyre set at 45% of race distance.
  • The plan is set for discussion at the next Formula 1 Commission meeting, where stakeholders will test support and review implications.
  • Advocates say the change targets predictable one-stop races seen in 2025, driven by durable Pirelli tyres and extensive tyre conservation.
  • The 2023 Qatar Grand Prix stint limits serve as a precedent, while teams remain divided and simulations still tend to favor one-stop strategies by small margins.