Overview
- Pirelli says talks are underway with the FIA, F1 and teams on mandating two pit stops for the Qatar Grand Prix due to extreme tyre wear, with no official decision yet.
- The F1 Commission will examine McLaren’s complaint after Red Bull said Max Verstappen’s São Paulo engine change was for performance, raising whether such costs should count under the budget cap.
- McLaren’s request for clarity could influence whether Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri take fresh power units late in the title run‑in, given cost‑cap risk and component limits.
- Verstappen started from the pit lane in São Paulo after the power‑unit change and still finished on the podium, keeping his championship hopes alive.
- Mercedes reiterates it will not divert resources to late‑2025 upgrades to avoid repeating its 2022 reset misstep, as Red Bull proceeds under new leadership with Laurent Mekies and Audi publicly expresses long‑term interest in Verstappen despite his contract to 2028.