Pirelli planning tyre selection changes to stop the one pit stop trend

Pitstop strategy has long shaped the outcome of Formula 1 grands prix. Hungary 2019 remains a textbook case: Max Verstappen’s bold one-stop attempt ultimately succumbed to Lewis Hamilton’s two-stop charge on fresher tyres. The strategic tension between one-stop and two-stop races has defined countless Sundays.

A one-stop pattern emerges in 2026

Two rounds into the new campaign, both Australia and China were won by Mercedes on straightforward one-stop strategies. Many of their closest rivals followed the same path, as tyre wear has proven lower under the sport’s sweeping new regulations.

Pirelli has introduced stronger rubber, trimming the range by dropping the softest C6 compound. The 2026 allocation now spans C1 to C5, fitted to lighter and narrower tyres. Yet the most significant influence lies in the radically revised chassis rules. The regulated minimum weight has fallen by 32kg, while overall downforce has been significantly reduced.

The result is less load transmitted through the tyres, particularly in high-speed corners. Drivers are also frequently lifting and coasting to preserve battery life, as the new power units operate on a near-50:50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy. Together, these elements have led to slower lap times — pole position in China last year was 1.423 seconds quicker than in 2026 — and improved tyre durability compared to the previous generation of ground-effect cars.

Isola: "We have not been far from ideal"

Despite the early trend, Pirelli motorsport boss Mario Isola insists flexibility remains built into the system.

“The target for the new tyres was similar to last year, so to have a mix of one-stop, two-stop with the three compounds suitable for the race,” Isola explained in China.

“So we were working around this concept to try to generate the same situation as last year, not knowing exactly which was the performance of the new cars and how the new cars were operating the tyres or using the tyre.There is a different footprint, there is a different torque, there are different elements. Now we have, and I believe that in any case we have not been far from ideal in Melbourne and here as well, so choices for the first races are still good choices.”

Pirelli is continuing to gather data and has already considered adjustments. Bahrain, for example, was initially expected to feature the C1, C2 and C3 compounds based on pre-season testing. However, Isola noted that a step softer — C2, C3 and C4 — was also a viable option.

“We will consider that in general, so if in some circuits we need to go one step softer, there is the possibility to change the selection,” he said.

Although teams have received a draft compound selection for the season, changes remain possible with FIA agreement.

“We can change the selection in agreement with the FIA, so there is still the possibility to move, a little bit, the selection on the hard side or most probably on the soft side.”

Lessons from 2017, but no rush to react

Isola acknowledged similarities with 2017, when a driver won with a one-stop strategy in 13 of 20 races following major regulatory changes. At that time, increased tyre width boosted mechanical grip but also improved durability. Pirelli responded in 2018 by expanding the range — introducing the hypersoft compound — to widen strategic possibilities.

For now, though, Isola believes it is too early to draw conclusions about whether a similar response will be required for 2027.

“There is also this element that cars that are running now are probably quite different from cars that are going to run in the second half of the season,” he said.

“That means that if the cars are much quicker, also the stress on the tyre is much higher and the selection could be ideal. So there is a rate of development that is quite steep at the beginning. We know that from past seasons.”

With development accelerating and teams only beginning to unlock performance under the new rules, the strategic picture may yet evolve. For now, the 2026 season has opened with a clear pattern — but Pirelli is keeping its options open should Formula 1’s competitive balance demand a shift.