The F1 Commission is debating changes to break the monotony of the races
During the last Formula 1 Commission meeting, one of the central points of discussion was how to make racing more exciting again. In recent seasons, and especially this year, the races have become monotonous and predictable, with few overtaking opportunities and increasingly similar strategies between teams. George Russell, summed it up clearly in an interview with Motorsport:
“Races are decided in qualifying or at the exit of the first corner. After that, dirty air becomes a major factor and teams prioritize the safest strategy: a single pit stop.”
Photo: Mexico Gp
This lack of dynamism has set off alarm bells at the FIA, Formula 1, and Liberty Media, who are searching for ways to recapture the excitement of Sunday races. One of the main culprits, according to drivers and experts, is the current tires. Their robustness and durability have significantly reduced degradation, allowing drivers to maintain a high pace for more laps without suffering the wear and tear of the past. As a result, stints are longer, alternative strategies are disappearing, and races are unfolding according to a predictable script.
“I think Pirelli has a hard time no matter what. If there’s a lot of degradation, people say it’s not real and that the drivers can’t push. When there isn’t any, we say the race is boring. Ideally, you’d have a tire you can go flat out with, but that completely falls apart after 15 laps.” George Russell explained.
Faced with this situation, the series organizers proposed three possible measures for 2026 aimed at encouraging strategic variety:
Requiring drivers to use all three tire compounds during the race.
Imposing two mandatory pit stops, with no restrictions on tire compound use.
Establishing a maximum distance for each tire.
These options all share the same objective: to revive multiple strategies and force teams to take more risks.
However, this isn't the first time something like this has been attempted. This year, Pirelli introduced a new, softer tire, the C6, to encourage wear and two-stop strategies. The idea, however, didn't work as expected. The compound hasn't seen much use in either qualifying or the race, and teams continue to opt for a one-stop strategy. Furthermore, the Italian manufacturer has varied the compound combinations on some weekends to encourage diversity, but the effect has been limited. Mario Isola, Pirelli's motorsport director, explained the reasons:
“Teams always maximize what they have, and that means they try to reduce the number of pit stops. It makes sense, because during a stop you can make a mistake or rejoin the track in traffic and lose time.”
Photo: Pirelli
With this in mind, the proposals for 2026 aim to break with this conservative approach. Mandating the use of all three compounds could generate a more open strategic game, with different approaches among teams. Similarly, imposing two unrestricted stoppers would allow for flexibility and a variety of strategies without falling into repetitive patterns.
No decision has been made yet. But the proposals will continue to be evaluated at the next Formula 1 commission meeting to determine the best course of action.
