Pirelli calls for two mandatory stops at the Qatar Grand Prix

Pirelli announced on Monday (17) that it will repeat in 2025 the preventive measure adopted in the last two years at the Qatar Grand Prix. The Formula 1 tire supplier has decided that each match will have a maximum of 25 laps, requiring teams to carry out at least two pit stops during the race, scheduled to be 57 laps.

The decision is due to the characteristics of the Losail Circuit, which imposes severe lateral loads on the tires and has pyramidal edges at some points. It was originally installed in 2023, in a high triangular shape. These barriers are designed to prevent riders from cutting corners, but they end up causing severe vibrations and damaging the vehicle’s structure.

The problem became evident at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, when a sprint race resulted in severe tire wear and prompted Pirelli to call for three mandatory pit stops, with a maximum of 18 laps. Since then, the supplier has adopted strict usage limits to ensure safety.

In 2024, the limit was increased to 25 laps per stint, a number that will be maintained in 2025. Furthermore, Pirelli chose the stiffer tire combination (C1, C2 and C3), while the circuit received modifications: the barriers were rounded in critical curves (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 12 and 14), to reduce the impact on the cars.