FIA Enforce ‘One-Off’ Qatar GP Rule Change As F1 Team Boss Protests Decision

The FIA has introduced a significant rule change for the Qatar Grand Prix that could have huge implications for the world championship battle, as an F1 boss slams the decision.

Both McLarens were disqualified from last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix for illegal plank wear, throwing the title race wide open.

Lando Norris remains in a strong position with a 24-point lead over his teammate Oscar Piastri and reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

Although Piastri has struggled for form in recent weeks, Verstappen will be high on confidence following another victory in Las Vegas.

Despite the setback, Norris can still claim a maiden world title if he scores two more points than both Piastri and Verstappen this weekend.

With a sprint race as well as the full Grand Prix, there is a maximum of 33 points available in Qatar.

Lando Norris was disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix (Image: Getty)

One factor likely to have a major impact on the Grand Prix is the FIA's decision to make it a mandatory two-stop race.

Due to the high-speed corners at the Lusail International Circuit, tyre degradation is higher than at other tracks.

As a result, Pirelli has imposed a maximum limit of 25 laps per set of tyres.

It is not the first time the tyre company has enforced a stint limit in Qatar.

Just two years ago, Pirelli set a maximum of 18 laps, making it a three-stop race.

As this weekend's sprint race is only 19 laps, it will not be affected by the mandatory rule.

However, Pirelli's decision to enforce tyre-stint limits for the Grand Prix has received a mixed response, with Haas boss Ayao Komatsu among the most vocal critics.

In Las Vegas, he said: "I don't agree with those artificial limits.

"Pirelli is just scared after last year's problems. With the one-stopper, they thought 'They're not going to do that, are they? Oh no - they are'.

"Now they've imposed a limit that makes a one-stopper impossible."

Ayao Komatsu on the pit wall (Image: Getty)

Komatsu continued to criticise the impact of mandatory pit stops and how it influences strategy.

He added: "I don't think we should do this in a sport.

"We often talk about avoiding boring one-stoppers, but artificial rules, as we saw before in Monaco and Qatar, destroy the race."

Earlier this month, several other Formula 1 bosses expressed concerns about introducing a mandatory number of pit stops.

Racing Bulls' Alan Permane said: “Everyone likes two stops or more, but we have to be careful.

“One of the things that makes a two-stop race tricky is when the tyres aren’t really suited for two stops, so you need to have tyres that demand the two-stop race.

"If you force a two-stop, you can end up with everyone doing the same strategy and actually have the opposite effect."

McLaren boss Andrea Stella echoed those concerns.

“The tyres remain the fundamental factor to have some variability in the race," he continued.

"And in particular, whenever there's some degradation, I think we can see overtaking and pit stops.”

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