Pirelli noticed that \u201cseveral tyres, particularly the left front, had reached the maximum wear level\u201d due to teams attempting 30+ lap stints at the \u201cvery high energy circuit\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So, it wanted drivers doing \u201csafe mileage\u201d during the 57-tour race, similarly to 2023 when there was an 18-lap limit – but kerb modifications avoided a repeat of that situation last year.<\/p>\n
Mario Isola, Pirelli\u2019s motorsport director, confirmed the decision was taken in March and sees 2025 as the perfect time to do it as \u201cwe can have a direct comparison with last year because the track is the same\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Italian also said that the limit only applies to the slick tyre – the hardest compound range of C1, C2 and C3 is available this weekend – before adding a disqualification could be the punishment for exceeding the limit.<\/p>\n
He was then asked at last weekend\u2019s Las Vegas GP if teams would still have to pit again should a safety car leave with 26 laps remaining.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Mario](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/mario-isola-racing-manager-pir.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Mario Isola, Racing Manager, Pirelli Motorsport<\/p>\n
Photo by: Mark Sutton \/ Motorsport Images<\/p>\n
To which Isola replied: \u201cIt was clear in the definition that we put on the preview, in the prescriptions, that we count also laps behind the safety car.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only laps that are not counted are the ones after the chequered flag or the formation lap, to make stuff easy, because otherwise it is impossible. One, for us to make a calculation, and two, for you to understand what happened, and for spectators to understand what happened.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt should be very clear. Each lap counts. And also when they are running in quali, they have maybe a cooldown lap, a push lap, a cooldown lap, whatever, all the laps are counted, otherwise it is impossible. You should define a limit, and under this limit it is not counted, above this limit it is counted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Isola therefore thinks there should be no grey area for teams to exploit, but should the pitlane be closed due for safety reasons – let\u2019s say a driver has stopped at entry – then it\u2019s \u201ca decision of the race direction\u201d, who can also \u201cdecide to extend the limit\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There are concerns that being more or less forced into a two-stop strategy could limit variance, Sauber<\/a> boss Jonathan Wheatley said \u201cit\u2019s just going to be a bit of a procession\u201d, because there may only be a narrow, restricted window for teams to pit.\u00a0<\/p>\n But Isola disagrees with such a notion, as he said: \u201cIn any case, the 25 laps on a 57 laps race is giving some flexibility. You are not obliged to stop at lap 24.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can play around that. Maybe someone could try to start on the soft and have a first stint that it is shorter, because in any case, they know they have to stop twice. So there is an indication of the result of this mileage limitation.\u201d<\/p>\n Additional reporting by Filip Cleeren<\/p>\n Read Also:<\/p>\n We want your opinion!<\/p>\n What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?<\/p>\n