F1 team bosses uncover major flaw with mandatory two-stop plan

Three consecutive Grands Prix have proven monotone from a strategic standpoint, with the vast majority of drivers opting for a simple one-stop strategy.

The lack of variety in tyre strategy has made the racing boring for some, and has ultimately led to the proposal of a rule where all drivers must come into the pits for a change of tyres at least twice.

This rule was introduced exclusively for the Monaco Grand Prix in 2025, and the reception was mixed. While it did result in more varied race strategies, drivers such as Carlos Sainz Jr. criticized the regulation, calling it a form of "race manipulation".

The idea to extend the rule to all Grands Prix was brought up in the Mexico City Grand Prix drivers' briefing, but when several Team Principals were asked about their thoughts on the proposal during Friday's FIA press conference at the following Brazilian Grand Prix, their opinions were on the negative side.

Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane was the first to take to the microphone, and he was keen to point out that forcing two pitstops on every driver might actually make strategies more uniform across teams.

He said: "Everyone likes two stops or more, but we have to be careful.

"One of the things that makes a two-stop race tricky is when the tyres aren’t really suited for two stops. So you need to have tyres that demand the two-stop race.

"If you force a two-stop, you can end up with everyone doing the same strategy and actually have the opposite effect.

"And don't forget, we've seen plenty of races with one guy on a one-stop and one guy on a two-stop, and then the guy on a one-stop being chased down by the two-stop – but that will obviously disappear.

"So I think we need to think very carefully. And we are. And I'm sure the F1 Commission will debate it, and I'm sure we'll come to the right answer," stated Permane.

Williams boss James Vowles echoed Permane's thoughts, stating that the performance gap between different compounds of tyre are a far more important factor that needs addressing.

He added: "My biggest worry would be that we end up, all of us, doing the same strategy to within a lap of each other because you're forced that way because of the two stops.

"So, to the key point, let's get the key foundations right, which is tyre degradation and the gaps between the tyres.

"And I don't mind a forced rule then that puts us in that circumstance, but I have a worry that immediately where we are now – I think you'll get less variability in next year's races, and that concerns me," Vowles concluded.

For now, drivers and teams are focussed on the Brazilian Grand Prix. The main race commences Sunday 9 November at 17:00 GMT (14:00 local time).