One of the remaining three races could play host to a rare F1 rule change.

Tyres rules could change at the Qatar Grand Prix (Image: Getty)

Pirelli are reportedly in talks over introducing a mandatory mileage limit for the Qatar Grand Prix in an attempt to alleviate tyre wear concerns. The abrasive kerbs and high-speed corners of the Lusail International Circuit make it a challenging weekend for F1’s tyre provider.

Wear has been an issue throughout the Qatar GP’s lifespan. In 2023, Pirelli and the FIA were even forced to mandate a maximum of 18 laps on each set of tyres, although it was the intense heat that wreaked havoc on that occasion. According to a report from Auto Motor und Sport, Pirelli are also discussing a potential tyre mileage limit for the 2025 edition, which will serve as both a sprint weekend and the penultimate round of the World Championship. The specific details are not currently known, although this will make the race a mandatory two-stop affair, at least.

If the discussions lead to a concrete change for the race in Lusail, it will make the Qatar GP the second weekend of the 2025 season to feature a two-stop minimum on Sunday. F1 experimented with the idea in Monaco back in May in an attempt to improve entertainment.

Unfortunately, the reception from drivers in Monaco was not positive. Both Racing Bulls and Williams told their drivers to slow down significantly, backing up a large chunk of the field to offer an advantage to their team-mates up the road.

‘m just a bit disappointed with the whole race and the whole weekend,” said Williams’ Carlos Sainz. “It shows the two-stop change is nothing around Monaco, and people are still going to do what we did today.

The tyre rules in Monaco caused chaos (Image: Getty)

“People are still going to manipulate the final result with the driving. We either come up with a solution so that you won’t be able to manipulate the race pace the way we did today, or it will always be like this.”

Given the differing dimensions of the Circuit de Monaco and the Lusail International Circuit, there are unlikely to be any similar antics in round 23 of the 2025 season. Instead, attention will be focused on the ongoing Drivers’ Championship title fight between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen.

Norris swept the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend last time out, scoring both pole positions and winning both races, meaning he heads into the season-ending triple header with a 24-point advantage over team-mate Piastri. Verstappen, meanwhile, needs a hat-trick of wins and some reliability issues from the McLaren duo to return to true contention.