Strategy Shake-Up Begins with Zandvoort and Singapore Grand Prix
Formula 1 fans around the world might soon notice a significant shift in how races unfold—not because of new cars or regulations, but because of something seemingly small: the speed limit in the pit lane. The FIA is preparing to test a plan that could dramatically alter pit stop strategies by increasing pit lane speed limits at selected circuits, starting with the Dutch and Singapore Grands Prix.
At first glance, it might sound like a minor tweak, but in a sport where milliseconds matter, this change could add a whole new layer of strategy to races that, so far in 2025, have struggled to offer much in the way of tactical variety.
A Lackluster Start to 2025 Sparks Rethink
The opening rounds of the 2025 Formula 1 season haven’t quite delivered the wheel-to-wheel excitement many hoped for. A key culprit? Predictable one-stop strategies that have taken much of the suspense out of race day.
Pirelli, the sport’s sole tyre supplier, attempted to counter this by bringing softer tyre compounds to certain races—Saudi Arabia and Miami, for instance—compared to last season. The thinking was clear: increased tyre degradation would force teams into making more than one pit stop, thereby spicing things up with more tactical variance.
But that didn’t exactly go to plan.
In Saudi Arabia, the track surface and race pace conspired to create minimal tyre wear, and once again, a one-stop strategy ruled the day. Even with softer tyres, teams were able to stretch stints longer than expected. Heading into Miami, there was hope that a different circuit profile might force more pit activity. But increasingly, it’s become clear that tyres alone won’t do the trick.
FIA Considers Pit Lane Speed Changes to Encourage More Pit Stops
That’s why the FIA, working closely with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and Pirelli’s head of motorsport Mario Isola, has begun exploring other ways to bring strategic diversity back to Sundays. According to paddock sources in Miami, one of the most promising options on the table is a revision of pit lane speed limits—specifically, increasing them.
Currently, the standard pit lane speed limit at most circuits is 80 km/h. However, certain tracks like Melbourne, Monaco, Zandvoort, and Singapore impose a stricter 60 km/h limit due to safety concerns and the nature of their pit layouts.
Increasing the speed limit at Zandvoort and Singapore to match the 80 km/h standard would reduce overall pit stop time significantly—by as much as five seconds. That might not sound like much to the casual fan, but in F1, five seconds can make or break a strategy.
In a place like Singapore, where a pit stop currently costs a team around 28–29 seconds, cutting that down to 23 could open the door to riskier, more aggressive strategies that teams might otherwise shy away from.
Safety First—But Small Changes Could Open Big Doors
Of course, the FIA isn’t throwing caution to the wind. Adjustments to pit lane speed limits can’t happen overnight, and they certainly won’t happen without careful study and approval from safety officials.
The organization has already acknowledged that certain “minor modifications” would be required at both Zandvoort and Singapore to make the increased limit feasible. Once those infrastructure tweaks are completed—and signed off by the FIA’s Safety Delegate—the change could be formally announced.
And crucially, the current rulebook already allows for this kind of flexibility. Article 34.7 of the Sporting Regulations clearly states: “During the race, a speed limit of 80 km/h will be imposed in the pit lane. However, this limit may be amended by the Race Director following a recommendation from the Safety Delegate.”
So the tools are there. Now, it’s about applying them in the right places.
Monaco: A Special Case with a Special Solution
One track that won’t be seeing any change to its pit lane speed is Monaco. The unique, cramped layout of the street circuit makes even 60 km/h feel tight, and the FIA has confirmed that there’s no way to safely increase the limit there.
But rather than give up on strategic creativity altogether, Monaco will become a testing ground for another idea: mandating a minimum of two pit stops during the race.
On paper, it sounds simple—force teams to pit twice and you naturally increase the number of variables at play. But in practice, things could get messy.
Take Ferrari junior and reserve driver Oliver Bearman, for example. He recently commented on how such a rule might be gamed: “I’d just pit on lap one and again on lap two, then run the whole race on hards,” he said, half-jokingly. “I’m sure they’ll introduce some rule to stop that—maybe no pit stops before lap 15.”
He’s probably right. And while the rule mechanics aren’t finalized yet, the very fact that the FIA is open to such experiments is a sign of a more dynamic, fan-focused approach to race weekend planning.
What This Means for Fans and Teams
For fans, especially those who long for the days when pit strategy was a pivotal element of race drama, these changes offer hope. Increasing the pit lane speed limit won’t guarantee multi-stop races, but it lowers the barrier for teams to consider them. And in an era where track position is everything and overtaking is no small feat, that could make a big difference.
For teams, the shift introduces new calculus into race prep. Suddenly, a two-stop strategy might become viable in a race where it previously wasn’t. Pit crews will need to be sharper, simulations will grow more complex, and the margin for error—already razor-thin—will narrow further.
Conclusion: A Small Rule Change With Big Potential
The move to increase pit lane speed limits might seem minor at first glance, but its implications could be major. In a sport often criticised for being too predictable, the FIA’s willingness to tweak race architecture in pursuit of better racing is a welcome development.
If these tests at Zandvoort and Singapore prove successful, expect similar changes at other circuits in the future. And perhaps most importantly, it signals that F1’s governing bodies are listening—not just to teams and drivers, but to fans who crave excitement, unpredictability, and real strategic variety.
After all, Formula 1 isn’t just about who’s fastest. It’s about who’s smartest, who dares to take a chance, and who adapts best when the rules of the game evolve.
