FIA Considering Pit Lane Speed Limit Increase to B… Read more
The FIA is reportedly evaluating a proposal to raise the pit lane speed limit at specific Formula 1 events in a move aimed at improving the quality of racing by encouraging more strategic pit stops. This potential change comes as the sport faces growing concerns about predictability and lack of overtaking in the early part of the 2025 season.
With four out of the first five races this season having been won from pole position, critics have expressed fears that the championship could become a “qualifying contest,” where starting position dictates the outcome. In response, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reportedly held discussions with Mario Isola, Pirelli’s motorsport director, during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to explore ways to enhance the on-track spectacle.
One proposed long-term solution involves Pirelli developing softer, more aggressive tyre compounds to increase the likelihood of multiple pit stops. Another possible change could involve widening the performance gap between tyre compounds at specific races to create more variability in strategy. However, a more immediate and impactful adjustment may come in the form of raising pit lane speed limits at select tracks.
Currently, many races tend to follow a one-stop strategy, especially on circuits where overtaking is difficult, such as Monaco, Singapore, or Zandvoort. This limits strategic diversity and often results in processional racing. To address this, the Monte Carlo Grand Prix will, for the first time, feature a mandatory two-stop rule to add an extra layer of strategy. Additionally, the FIA is believed to be considering increasing the pit lane speed limit at venues where it is currently capped at 60 km/h due to narrower pit lanes. These tracks include Australia, Monaco, Zandvoort, and Singapore.
The standard pit lane speed limit in Formula 1 has been set at 80 km/h since 2014 for safety reasons, and that figure is unlikely to be raised further. However, bringing lower-speed tracks up to this limit could make multiple stops more attractive, potentially enhancing race unpredictability without compromising safety. According to reports from The Times and The Race, the FIA is already consulting teams and assessing the feasibility and impact of such a change.
Motorsport.com suggests that the FIA is particularly interested in implementing this change at Singapore and Zandvoort in the current season, although minor pit lane modifications would be necessary to facilitate this.
Commenting on the idea ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc said the concept might be useful in certain cases. “I have never heard of it, but definitely not for all races,” he noted. “There are some tracks where it could work. I’ll need to look more into the implications, but at first glance, it can make sense in some scenarios.”
