Pirelli has confirmed that two pit stops are planned for the Qatar Grand Prix.

      Pirelli has announced that it will enforce a strict tyre mileage limit at the Qatar GP next weekend, which will make a two-stop race necessary in the second-to-last round of the season. The Italian tyre supplier has confirmed this measure after several weeks of speculation regarding safety issues at the demanding Losail circuit, known for its high loads and energy demands.

      "Each set of tyres provided to the teams at the start of the race weekend will have a maximum lifespan of 25 laps on the Lusail circuit, which imposes significant energy, thermal stress, and wear on the tyres," Pirelli stated. "The laps will be counted cumulatively across all track sessions, including those conducted under the Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car."

      With the race distance set at 57 laps, this limitation will require every driver to make at least two pit stops. Pirelli noted that this regulation follows an in-depth review of last year's race.

      "Several tyres, most notably the left front, reached the maximum wear level. These conditions, coupled with the high lateral energy, increased the structural fatigue of the tyre construction."

      A similar restriction was applied in 2021 when the aggressive kerbs at Lusail led to micro-tears in the sidewalls of the tyres. Although that issue was largely addressed last year through modifications to the kerbs and gravel strips, Pirelli argues that the circuit's combination of long, fast corners and a rough surface continues to test tyre durability.

      For the sprint weekend, teams will again use the hardest tyre compounds — C1, C2, and C3 — with 2 sets of Hard, 4 Medium, and 6 Soft compounds available. This confirmation comes shortly after the FIA indicated that broader discussions regarding mandatory two-stop races from 2026 are ongoing, although no approval has been reached yet.

      "A proposal to investigate mandatory two pit stops for grands prix was discussed, alongside adjustments to tyre specifications, tyre-life limits, and the use of three compounds during the race," the federation said following last week's F1 Commission meeting. "No changes have been agreed upon at this time, but it was decided that discussions on this matter would continue throughout the 2026 season."