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Pirelli sets mandatory stint limits for Qatar Grand Prix
Pirelli has mandated a two-stop race for the Qatar Grand Prix by imposing a 25-lap maximum for each set of tires due to concerns over excessive wear.
The penultimate race of the season takes place in just under two week’s time, following the Las Vegas Grand Prix this coming weekend. The event had a maximum stint length imposed two years ago due to small cuts to the tires being caused by specific curbing at the Lusail International Circuit, but on this occasion the restrictions are a result of tire wear.
Analyzing data from last year’s race, Pirelli says several tires – particularly the left front – had reached the maximum wear level on the high-speed circuit. With teams trying to one-stop for strategic reasons and protecting against degradation, that meant tires were often being taken beyond what Pirelli prescribed as the useful life.
Despite the hardest three compounds – C1, C2 and C3 – being used in Qatar, the high lateral energy that goes through the tires at Lusail means there were concerns about potential failures, due to the increased structural fatigue the tire would face.
As a result, teams will only be allowed to run a set of tires for a maximum of 25 laps, a number that will be counted cumulatively across each session and will also include Safety Car and Virtual Safety Car laps. Excluded from the total are laps to the grid, formation laps, and laps completed after the checkered flag in the Sprint and Grand Prix.
The maximum lap count means teams will be forced to make at least two pit stops during the grand prix in Qatar, with the race distance set at 57 laps.
The move is safety-based and separate to ongoing discussions between the FIA, F1 and the teams regarding a potential mandatory two-stop regulation to try and improve racing. The proposal includes adjustments to tire specifications, tire-life limits and the use of three different compounds during a race, but no changes were agreed in the recent F1 Commission meeting and exploratory talks will continue during 2026.
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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