F1's schedule includes two-stop races and sprints on soft tyres.

      "Two pitstops enhance the spectacle"

      Formula 1 may undergo significant format changes starting in 2026, with discussions about mandatory two-stop races and updated sprint tyre regulations. According to Kurier, the FIA presented a proposal to drivers in Mexico, suggesting that two pitstops be made compulsory at every grand prix. This regulation aims to increase on-track excitement and diminish strategic predictability.

      This concept was previously experimented with in Monaco earlier this year, where Lando Norris achieved a lights-to-flag victory, failing to win over the skeptics. Nonetheless, Pirelli's motorsport chief, Mario Isola, sees potential in the idea. "Two pitstops enhance the spectacle because they introduce more unpredictability," stated Isola.

      However, he cautioned that mandating uniform strategies for teams could have negative consequences. "There’s a risk that all teams will resort to the same approach. While this might create more chances for undercuts, it would remove true tactical variety." As a middle ground, Isola proposed allowing teams to select their tyre compounds instead of mandating the use of two different ones. "We can also explore two stops without requiring different compounds, enabling teams to choose as they prefer," he remarked.

      Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, currently acting as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, has proposed an additional idea to make sprint races more engaging by mandating the use of soft tyres. "I believe sprints would improve if everyone had to use softs," said Sainz, asserting that this rule could enhance tyre degradation, overtaking opportunities, and unpredictability without impacting the main race on Sunday.

      Both proposals are anticipated to be formally discussed at the upcoming F1 Commission meeting.