Pirelli pushes for debate over two mandatory pit stops: a lifeline for dull races

The criticism has been mounting. Formula 1 races have become too predictable, too carefully managed, too tidy. With one-stop strategies now the default, fans and even drivers say the thrill is fading. George Russell and Lando Norris have both voiced frustration over races turning into tire-saving marathons rather than flat-out battles. Now, tire supplier Pirelli wants to reopen the debate, proposing a bold change for 2026: two mandatory pit stops per race. It sounds technical, but it cuts straight to the soul of racing. 

Why one-stoppers are killing the racing 

Anyone following recent seasons knows the pattern. Teams optimize toward a single pit stop, the safest and often fastest route to the finish. It makes strategic sense, but it kills variety. Where tire wear once created tension and risk, today’s drivers nurse their rubber to perfection, waiting for rivals to falter rather than forcing the issue on track. 

The result: long stretches of stagnation. Even circuits once synonymous with chaos, like Interlagos or Silverstone, often produce races defined by caution and tire management. “We’re driving on eggshells just to make one stop work,” Norris admitted earlier this year. “That’s not why fans watch Formula 1.” 

Pirelli, the sport’s exclusive supplier since 2011, has heard the criticism. The Italian company is often caught in a tug-of-war: teams want durable tires, while the FIA and FOM crave spectacle. The proposal for two mandatory stops is Pirelli’s attempt to reset that balance. 

Pirelli’s plan: two stops for every race 

The concept is simple, but its implications are huge. Pirelli is exploring, together with the FIA and Formula 1 Management, a 2026 regulation that would require every driver to make at least two pit stops per Grand Prix. That could mean using three different compounds or simply mandating two tire changes per race, either way, strategy would instantly become more dynamic. 

Mario Isola, Pirelli’s head of motorsport, confirmed that discussions are ongoing. “We want drivers to push again. Two stops could help bring more on-track action,” he said during the Mexico weekend. It’s not a formal proposal yet, but the conversation fits the wider 2026 reset, new power units, lighter cars, and a redefined energy balance.

For Pirelli, this is an opportunity. New regulations mean new tires, and with that comes the chance to influence how the show unfolds. The brand knows the entertainment factor is part of its reputation. 

What teams and drivers really think 

The paddock is split. Some team bosses fear that mandatory stops would make strategy too artificial. “The essence of Formula 1 is freedom,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner. “You shouldn’t legislate how to race.” Others, like McLaren’s Andrea Stella, are open to the idea: “If it helps the show and keeps fans engaged, we have to consider it.” 

Drivers are just as divided. Russell has repeatedly called for more strategic variety, while Charles Leclerc argues against “manufactured” excitement. “If we want more pit stops, just bring softer tires,” the Monegasque said. “We don’t need new rules for that.” 

The debate mirrors a deeper question within Formula 1: should excitement be engineered, or should it arise naturally? With cars increasingly efficient and overtaking often dependent on DRS, genuine unpredictability has become a scarce commodity. A new pit stop rule could, in theory, restore that missing layer of tension. 

What it would change: Interlagos and Monaco as examples 

Take Interlagos, for instance, a circuit famous for tire wear and chaos. Under current conditions, most teams go for a straightforward medium-to-hard one-stop. Introduce a second mandatory stop, and suddenly strategy blossoms: medium-hard-soft for late attacks, or soft-medium-hard for early undercuts. Teams would be forced to gamble again, and drivers could push harder without fear of destroying their tires. 

At Monaco, the equation flips. Track position reigns supreme, so more pit stops might not improve overtaking, but it would allow drivers to run faster, knowing tire life is less critical. Either way, it injects variation into a format that often rewards patience over aggression. 

F1 has been here before. In 2013, Pirelli’s high-degradation tires produced races with two or even three stops. It was thrilling, until blowouts at Silverstone led to outrage and a swift policy reversal. Since then, Pirelli has played it safe. But as Liberty Media pushes for a more entertaining product, the appetite for risk seems to be returning. 

Who decides, and when? 

The final decision will rest with the F1 Commission, where teams, the FIA, and Formula 1 Management vote on rule changes. The sporting framework for 2026 will likely be finalized in early 2025, meaning Pirelli must soon present test data on tire performance and degradation.

For now, the idea is only on the discussion table. But that alone speaks volumes. Formula 1 knows it needs to keep races alive, and if two mandatory pit stops are the price of unpredictability, the debate will be worth it. 

Because beneath all the politics and engineering, one truth remains: fans tune in for the fight. And if Pirelli’s proposal brings that fight back to the forefront, 2026 could mark more than just a technical revolution. It could be the return of real racing.