Fans often complain that modern Formula 1 delivers too little action and too few overtakes. And yet, every now and then, there are races where everything suddenly becomes chaotic, unpredictable and full of movement, with the order changing almost every lap. This was exactly what we saw at the Mexico Grand Prix and, even more clearly, at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Why does this happen sometimes and not at other times? The idea we have developed is that it is the limits themselves that hold Formula 1 back. The sport’s excessively restrictive regulations are what make the category lack spectacle. Why do we say this? By linking the discussion to what Fernando Alonso said in recent days, we believe that much of the show depends on the tyres and on the compound choices that the supplier decides to bring to each event.
Restrictions remove unpredictability, while tyres are the key to creating a real show
Like Alonso, we believe that there is no need for major artificial changes to the aerodynamic regulations or to the power unit power management — especially with 2026 approaching. Instead, it would be enough to give the tyre manufacturer complete freedom when selecting the compounds for each Grand Prix, without imposing strict limits on what teams can or cannot do with them.
If we take into account what Pirelli often says, even if the tyre company were to bring softer compounds, engineers and drivers would still find a way to complete the race with just one pit stop in order to save time in the pits, especially as a single stop is currently mandatory due to the regulations. Yet, this scenario did not materialise in the last two rounds.
What we want to underline is that when Pirelli manages to choose the correct tyre combination — as seen in Mexico and Brazil — the drivers themselves willingly opt for two pit stops. That decision proved to be more competitive than a single-stop strategy. At Interlagos, Max Verstappen even finished third with a three-stop race, and on average, there were very few laps in which the order remained unchanged.
Therefore, when it comes to ensuring excitement, forcing teams to do one or two pit stops is pointless. In fact, such limits only flatten strategies and remove yet another element of surprise and spectacle.
A difficult balance to achieve
If we compare Austin and Mexico, the supplier took the same approach in both cases by making a compound step. However, it was only at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez that this strategy produced the intended results. In Texas, by contrast, the race turned out to be considerably flat and lacking in dramatic moments.
In our view, as Alonso emphasized, Formula 1 should focus more on tyre management and on supporting Pirelli in understanding which compounds are the right ones to bring to each circuit. There is no need to invent any additional gimmicks or artificial tools to spice up the show.
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