The F1 Commission met today at the FIA headquarters in London to discuss several topics raised over recent weeks. One of the hottest issues on the agenda was the proposal to make two pit stops mandatory starting in 2026, an idea strongly supported by Liberty Media to avoid Grand Prix being determined by tyre management. The FIA initially seemed favorable to the idea, although no public statement was made, suggesting the proposal might be approved.
That did not happen. With a unified front, the teams took a clear stance, opposing the inclusion of a mandatory second stop in the 2026 regulations. “A proposal was discussed to evaluate the obligation of two pit stops,” the FIA statement reported, “alongside changes to tyre specifications and longevity, as well as the use of three compounds during the race. The discussion focused on analysis and simulations conducted by the teams and Pirelli. At present, no modifications have been agreed upon.”
Beyond the reasons expressed by the teams, a tacit prediction from the pre-meeting emerged. The large number of new variables accompanying the debut of the next-generation cars has heightened team concerns regarding reliability.
The prospect of mandatory two-stop races would require teams to plan for higher race pace, and increased performance conflicts with existing reliability concerns. “It was agreed that discussions on this topic will continue after the first races of 2026,” added the FIA, confirming the possibility of revisiting the proposal once reliability issues are addressed.
More colorful liveries with less visible carbon
Following discussions with the Technical Advisory Committee, a minimum livery coverage requirement for next season was addressed. Commission representatives agreed that at least 55% of the car’s surface must be covered by painted or sticker liveries, rather than exposed carbon fibre.
“The goal of this measure is to increase visual differentiation between cars,” emphasized the FIA. This comes as a relief for marketing departments, as the relentless pursuit of weight reduction had progressively reduced the use of paints and wraps, leaving large surfaces in traditional carbon black. The FIA has now defined a uniform minimum value for all teams.
Reduced aerodynamic testing and upgraded DCS
“Modifications to the current aerodynamic testing restrictions (ATR) are being developed,” the FIA statement added, “to align Formula 1 with modern processing and simulation technologies, while also contributing to cost containment.”
Changes to the regulations regarding drivers’ race numbers, permanent since 2014, were also discussed. It was agreed that drivers will have the opportunity to change their numbers during their careers.
Finally, the introduction of an upgraded DCS (driver cooling system) for hotter races was discussed. Redesigns of the current system and cooling garments have been proposed, along with an increased allowed weight for DCS use. Further driver feedback will be collected in parallel with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA).
And you? What do you think about the decision to delay the mandatory two-stop rule planned for 2026? Let us know with a comment at the end of the article or on our social media channels: Facebook Group / Facebook Page / Instagram / X (former Twitter) and TikTok.
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