FIA set to raise F1 pit lane speed limit - report

The FIA is understood to be looking to increase the pit lane speed limit at select grands prix in a bid to improve racing in F1.

Early in the season, there have been concerns about the quality of on-track action, with four of the opening five rounds won from pole position.

It has been suggested the current campaign will be reduced to a "qualifying championship", a worry that instigated F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali from holding talks with Mario Isola, Pirelli's motorsport director, at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

It is believed the series' sole tyre manufacturer could introduce softer, more aggressive compounds for races later in the season to increase the frequency of pit stops. A more immediate solution, which may be used in conjunction, could be to bring tyres further apart in the Pirelli range to races.

However, according to multiple reports - from The Times and The Race - there could also be changes to the pit lane speed limit, something that would make multiple pit stops more attractive to teams by changing the strategic dynamics of races.

The FIA is understood to be conducting a review of the situation and what the merits and demerits of such a change might be. The motorsport governing body is said to have consulted F1 teams about the idea.

The problem currently is that many of the rounds on the F1 calendar are safe one-stop affairs, limiting tactical options and producing boring processions on circuits that are difficult to overtake at, such as Monaco.

To counteract that issue, the grand prix in Monte Carlo will be a mandated two-stop race for the first time this year.

In addition to this, it is understood the likes of Australia, Zandvoort, Singapore and indeed Monaco, where the pit lane speed limit is a reduced 60km/h from the usual 80km/h on account of having narrow pit lanes, could see an increase to the calendar norm. Although, which, if any, would receive the alteration has not yet been decided.

According to Motorsport.com, the FIA is keen on changes for Singapore and Zandvoort this year, but minor adjustments to the pit lane of both circuits will be required.

Whilst the pit lane speed limit has been in place in F1 since 1993 (for practice sessions) and 1994 (for all sessions), it is unlikely the normal limit will be increased above 80km/h, which has been in place since 2014, on safety grounds.

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was asked for his views on the subject. The Monegasque driver agreed that is could "make sense" in certain circumstances.

"I have never heard of it [the proposal], but definitely not for all races," he told media including RacingNews365.

"I don't think that will be sensible for all races. I felt like there are some tracks where it could work, but to be honest, I never thought about even doing this.

"I'll have to look a little bit more into details and what are the implications of all these things. But as a first thought, probably on some races, it can make sense, yes."