Translation :
Along with the biggest technical breakthrough in its history, Formula 1 could also face a significant change in its sporting regulations in 2026. The idea, supported by some teams (and championed by Liberty Media), has been under consideration for some time and would not be an entirely new development. We’re talking about the mandatory double pit stop, a topic that’s not new, but has been back in the news since the grip afforded by Pirelli tires discouraged team engineers from pursuing two-stop race strategies.
In the last five Grands Prix, the winner’s strategy has always been a one-stopper, and barring exceptional circumstances (the safety car at Zandvoort and the weather conditions at Silverstone), the last race to feature a two-stopper was Spielberg. For those who see double pit stops as an important variable for making races more exciting, these are tough times; teams are always considering limiting the race to a single stop for various reasons.
Simulation software precisely calculates average lap times to manage tires according to a single-stop strategy, and although the difference with a double-stop simulation is minimal, the first scenario always prevails. A slower race pace favors temperature management (at a slower pace, the risk of overheating is significantly reduced), and a single stop also halves the risk of an unexpected stop and traffic management.
In this context, the drivers are primarily focused on maintaining the target time (the reference time indicated by the simulations), a scenario that doesn’t mesh well with the spectacle that Formula 1 aims to offer spectators. Hence the idea of imposing the mandatory two pit stops as a (potential) remedy against long stretches of racing in a “train-and-gun” fashion. The mandatory double pit stop is not entirely new; at Losail in 2023, the double pit stop was imposed for safety reasons, with a limit on the maximum laps that can be completed with each set of tires.
In this context, the drivers are primarily focused on maintaining the target time (the reference time indicated by the simulations), a scenario that doesn’t mesh well with the spectacle that Formula 1 aims to offer spectators. Hence the idea of imposing the mandatory two pit stops as a (potential) remedy against long stretches of racing in a “train-and-gun” fashion. The mandatory double pit stop is not entirely new; at Losail in 2023, the double pit stop was imposed for safety reasons, with a limit on the maximum laps that can be completed with each set of tires.
The forced two-stopper solution in the Qatar GP allowed the team to evaluate the effects of a two-stop race, and it highlighted the possibility for drivers to push hard without having to worry about management. This is Liberty Media’s goal, and according to information gathered by Motorsport.com, the mandatory two-stopper proposal will be put on the table at the next meeting scheduled by the Formula 1 Commission. In addition to gauging the teams’ consensus, the meeting will also serve as an opportunity to explore a series of possible scenarios.
One of the proposals would require the use of all three compounds chosen by Pirelli for the weekend in the race, leaving teams free to decide the sequence. The possibility of imposing two stops without compound restrictions will also be discussed as an alternative, eliminating the current requirement to use sets of at least two different compounds. The possibility of imposing a maximum mileage limit for each set, which must not exceed 45% of the race distance, will also be explored.
It’s not going to be a simple comparison. Some argue that the three-compound requirement will lead everyone to adopt a standard strategy, based on the principle that increasing the number of restrictions will reduce the number of possible choices. The teams’ opinions will be interesting to understand what their respective simulation software reveals. Regarding the potential effects of mandating the use of three compounds, very different assessments emerged over the Mexico City weekend.
According to some insiders, the use of three compounds could lead to different interpretations of the race; others believe it could backfire, risking teams making the same decisions and running the same number of laps per stint. A completely free strategy, except for the mandatory two stops, might find more support. The game, even on the table of the Formula 1 Commission, will be very open.
Instead of mandating more stops, we just need to make pirelli bring softer compounds. If everyone can one stop on the two softest compounds, clearly pirelli isn’t doing their job.
People were unhappy with falling apart tires a few seasons ago, saying it artificially created drama. So I’m not sure they’ll go into that direction again
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I don’t have the solution on hand, but technology and simulation being too good nowadays is definitely noticeable. There is so much less guesswork involved in strategy now, it’s much more of an exact science and it’s much rarer for teams to have wildly differing ideas of the optimum strategy. Same thing goes for driver skill and mechanical engineering too - the sport is more advanced than ever but at the cost of a certain amount of chaos and spectacle. That’s just the reality of advancement in technology and scale and I don’t think there’s a way to put that genie back in the bottle.
I mean, reduced practice is how this happens right? But I guess the sprint race itself is a data collection event
Given that F1 has banned all kinds of technological innovations on the cars without needing to, I feel like they could actually ban innovations in team processes as well if they wanted to. Tell teams they can’t run this perfect strategy software!
If they knew how to forbid and enforce it they probably would. And it would probably be for the better to be honest.
I don’t see fuel management mentioned anywhere. Another reason drivers don’t just push all the time is fuel. As is said many times, the cars are not filled with enough to actually get to the end. They always expect a safety car or slower laps to save fuel. Even during the middle of the race drivers may lift and coast a bit or generally drive slower to conserve fuel.
So just making changes to tires will not make drivers push harder.
It’s not the lack of pitstops that is a problem, is the lack of strategic diversity. This will do little to improve that.
Why not ban tyre simulation? There, drivers push as much as they want and they change tyres when they feel they are cooked.
…and it highlighted the possibility for drivers to push hard without having to worry about management.
The sport is to go fast, tyre management prevents that. I think mandatory 2 stoppers will make them push harder, but may also reduce the on track overtaking. Needs to be analyzed better (or tried).
Hmm. I’m 50/50 on this on.
Oh no
