Tire supplier Pirelli has announced that drivers may drive a maximum of 25 laps on the same set of tires. Only warm-up and run-out laps are not counted. Since the Grand Prix on Sunday, November 30 has 57 laps, a two-stopper is a requirement.
Pirelli decided to do this in consultation with the motorsport federation FIA and the Formula 1 management, given the demanding nature of the circuit north of Doha. The left front tire in particular has a hard time.
In Qatar, an intervention has already proven necessary. In 2023, three pit stops were even mandatory, because tires were damaged by the so-called pyramid curbs on the circuit. Many of those curbs were adjusted last year.
Next weekend the Grand Prix of Las Vegas awaits, the following week the race in Qatar is scheduled. A sprint race will also be held there on Saturday (November 29).