Formula 1 fans label Pirelli’s mandatory two-pit stop proposal ‘stupid’

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Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli have been flirting with the idea of implementing mandatory pit stops for future races.

The proposal has been seen in F1 before, with it being introduced at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix on safety grounds. In 2025, it was mandated for teams to make two pit stops during the Monaco Grand Prix after the events of the previous race.

After a first-lap red flag in 2024, drivers were able to change tyres on the grid and ran to the end of the race, with the top 10 finishing where they started – the first time that has happened in F1 history.

To avoid that feat repeating, mandatory pit stops were introduced for the 2025 Monaco GP. However, this did little to improve racing action, as Lando Norris took an emotional win from pole position, while many drivers held up the pack to gain an advantage.

Now, F1 is discussing the idea of implementing mandatory two pit stops during races in the future. The proposals being considered include using all three tyre compounds during a race, or removing the need to use two different compounds.

Formula 1 label mandatory two pit stop proposal as ‘stupid’ amid ongoing discussions

The proposal for mandatory pit stops is understandable as the sport looks to avoid predictable racing. The problem is that overtaking has proven to be difficult in 2025, thanks to the dirty air and Pirelli tyres being more robust than ever.

This was seen at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen completed a long second stint on the soft tyre and finished third. Mandating two pit stops would take away that gamble on running a one-stop as opposed to two.

Many F1 fans saw the same way as they vented their criticism on X (Formerly Twitter). One fan said: “See you can’t make a mandatory 2 stop work. You just need one stop vs 2 stop to be close in race pace.”

One user criticised the tyres: “So stupid, that would mean everyone does the same! The Tyres need to Degrade More…simple as that!” Another agreed: “Won’t change anything, just make tyres that degrade.”

One fan commented: “This would be cool but if it’s mandatory doesn’t it just show the state f1 is in where it’s gonna be more about having great pitstops than actual racing? Like I’m not watching f1 for pitstops, I watch for racing.

“If you watched this year’s Monaco, you’d know everyone on the same strategy is never exciting. Mexico/Hungary was fun because some drivers went for more stops while others gambled on fewer,” another user argued.

Finally one fan said: “I don’t like it, Mexico produced such good racing because people gambled with a 2 stop and other stayed out. Mandating all three tyres isn’t the answer. The answer is finding the sweet spot between tyres that last more than 10 laps but don’t last a whole race.”

READ MORE: Everything we know about F1’s 2026 regulation changes from engines to tyres

Martin Brundle was heavily critical of mandatory pit stop rule in Monaco

The Monaco GP is difficult to judge when it comes to mandatory pit stops, given that the circuit is almost impossible to overtake on. There could be a different outcome on a regular circuit, but Martin Brundle was heavily critical of the rule change in 2025.

He was not ‘liking’ the race in Monaco as he did not want to see drivers going ‘slowly’. Several teams in advantageous positions used their second car to hold up the field, giving the other driver a strong finish.

Williams and Racing Bulls used this tactic to get both cars into the top 10, frustrating their rivals in the process. George Russell got a drive-through penalty for driving straight on after the tunnel section, having been held up by Alex Albon.

Bernie Collins said teams would explore a loophole in the pit stop rules to give them an advantage. As Monaco proved, it did little to improve racing action, so the next proposal will have to be well thought out to impress teams and the fans.