(Motorsports news) Pirelli discovered microscopic failures in the tyre sidewalls last weekend at the Losail Circuit, a fault caused by drivers running too long over new kerbs with a 50mm higher edge. As a result, the tyre manufacturer and the FIA enforced a maximum stint length of 18 laps for the 57-lap race, forcing drivers to employ a three-stop strategy.

However, this was received with criticism for being overly restrictive and resulting in a predictable race. This is a sentiment shared by Horner, who believes F1 should not feel obligated to make it a permanent fixture or risk negatively influencing qualifying. “I think you have to give the freedom, and that creates the creativity,” Horner remarked.

“Compelled pit stops? It will have an impact on the end of qualifying and how many laps you run in qualifying to save tyres for the race… therefore it makes no logic to me. “You want to run your fastest race, whether it’s a one-stop race, a two-stop race, or a three-stop race.” That is where we must be”, Horner stated.

Max Verstappen, the freshly minted three-time world champion, led from start to finish, winning by 4.8 seconds over McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri. His victory margin would have been bigger if he had not slowed to cover a potential late safety car. This season, Verstappen has also been notable for his tyre-saving efforts aboard the RB19, a feature that has been slightly reduced by FIA limitations.

“From a safety standpoint, I completely understand why they did it,” Horner concluded. “Perhaps it wasn’t the best strategy for this race, two stops and tyre deg, and some of the other factors would have come into play.”

Horner also believes the 18-lap stints “diluted” what Sergio Perez could have accomplished, since the Mexican recovered from a pitlane start to finish 10th, despite accruing three five-second penalties for track limit violations.

Also read: Horner: Ricciardo was “right to miss” due to injury. Qatar Grand Prix