Max Verstappen open to two-stop idea but warns 2026 has "a lot of unknowns"

Max Verstappen has reacted to the discussions surrounding a possible two-stop mandate from 2026. Accepting that it could improve racing from an entertainment point of view, he maintains that while it has the potential to open up strategy options for teams, the 2026 regulations already pose "a lot of unknowns". 

Speaking ahead of the Brazil Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver gave his thoughts on the potential rule change.

“Yeah, the cars again have been a bit more difficult to follow," he started. "And then in some races, when you stay within a second, the tyres overheat quite quickly and it's quite tough to put a move on.

"Also because most of the cars are within two to three tenths, their pace advantage is not big enough unless something crazy happens with a safety car. So, yeah, we'll see."

The four-time Formula 1 champion added that he expects fans of the series to still take issue with certain scenarios, even if the rules are changed. 

"Maybe, yes, it will be better if they do that, but for sure people will be screaming as well at the same time next year when it comes at the wrong time that you have to do a two-stop or whatever, so you will always keep that."

The topic is due for discussion at the F1 Commission as part of its efforts to open up the strategic variation between teams after a number of seasons in which one-stop racing has been the norm. The body is interested to see whether a mandated two-stop strategy could shake up a race weekend.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Tyre supplier Pirelli has confirmed its interest in exploring this option for next year, with director of Pirelli Mario Isola telling Motorsport.com, “The best races are the ones in which the two-stop has an advantage, but someone brave can still try a different strategy.

“We had a good example of that in Monza last year, when Charles [Leclerc] was able to win on one stop and others were on two stops. It was like that in Spa with George [Russell] as well, but unfortunately, this doesn't happen every time.” 

The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix featured a mandatory two-stop strategy for teams, but despite this, it still yielded a disappointing race for fans. 

With 2026 bringing a host of changes to the car, Verstappen is keen to assess the difference from that perspective before any further changes are made. 

"Next year there's so many question marks in general about the car engine anyway, besides forcing a two-stop, let's say like that, so a lot of unknowns.”