Formula 1 has taken the significant step of imposing a compulsory two-pit-stop rule for the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix, the penultimate race of the 2025 season. This decisive action comes after serious concerns were raised about excessive tyre wear and the potential for dangerous blowouts on the demanding Lusail International Circuit.
What prompted the safety rule change?
The governing body, the FIA, in agreement with F1 and the teams, has mandated that no single set of tyres can be used for more than 25 laps during the race. With the Grand Prix distance set at 57 laps, this automatically forces every driver to make at least two pit stops. This is a departure from the more common one-stop strategy seen at many other circuits.
The high-speed corners at the Lusail track place immense stress on the tyres, a problem previously identified during the 2023 event, which was run under scorching conditions and also required multiple stops. In an official statement, tyre supplier Pirelli confirmed the new measure, stating it was necessary following an analysis of the tyres used in the 2024 race.
How will the new tyre lap limit work?
The rule is not just for the race itself. Pirelli has specified that every set of tyres supplied for the weekend can cover a maximum of 25 laps of the Lusail track. This lap count is cumulative across all track sessions, including those run under the Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car.
Laps completed on the way to the grid, formation laps, and any laps after the chequered flag in the Sprint or Grand Prix will not be counted. Crucially, Pirelli will inform teams before the Grand Prix start how many laps remain available for each set of tyres, adding a strategic layer to the race preparation.
The statement from Pirelli elaborated on the technical reasons, noting: "Last year, several tyres, particularly the left front, had reached the maximum wear level. These conditions, combined with the high lateral energy, had increased the structural fatigue of the construction." It also highlighted that teams managing degradation had sometimes risked extending stints beyond the tyre's useful life.
Race context and championship implications
This safety intervention will add a major strategic variable to a critical point in the season. The ruling comes as Lando Norris leads the world championship by 24 points heading into this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix, the race immediately preceding Qatar.
Norris's history at Lusail is marked by controversy, having suffered a contentious 10-second stop-and-go penalty at last year's event. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has been victorious in the last two Qatar Grands Prix. This new mandatory pit stop rule could shake up the competitive order and play a pivotal role in the championship battle as the 2025 season reaches its climax.
