Formula 1 drivers are eagerly anticipating the effect of the new two-pit stop regulation at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix, indicating the race might become a `lottery` and could even `go completely crazy`.
In a historic first for the renowned street circuit, following a notably uneventful race in 2024 (where a first-lap red flag enabled teams to fulfil the standard single mandatory tyre change), all drivers are now required to use three different sets of tires over the 78 laps.
This new rule effectively mandates two pit stops for tyre changes during the race, assuming no red flag interruptions, a departure from the usual single stop strategy in Monaco.
While race strategy is often dictated by extensive simulations beforehand, the Monaco event now presents real uncertainties, offering a potential path to victory for a driver willing to take a strategic gamble.
McLaren`s Lando Norris, currently second in the championship standings, commented:
“It will be a complicated race. It is not as simple as `boxing` twice.”
Norris added:
“It`s opportunity. That`s the biggest thing, there is opportunity for everyone. I think there can be more luck involved for anyone, so it`s easier to probably have a surprise winner this weekend.”
Reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen stated:
“I guess it can go both ways, where it can be quite straightforward, or it can go completely crazy because of Safety Cars coming into play or not making the right calls.”
He continued:
“I think it will spice it up, probably a bit more. Normally, when you have that one stop, once you have a good pit stop and everything is fine, then you drive to the end. You just have to stay focused and not hit the barrier.”
Verstappen added:
“But maybe with a two-stop, it can create something different. People gambling, guessing when the right time is to box. So hopefully it will spice it up a bit more.”
Overtaking has always been notoriously difficult on Monaco`s narrow, winding streets, and this challenge has been amplified by the current generation of wider Formula 1 cars.
Consequently, starting position has become extremely crucial at this Grand Prix; last year, the top 10 cars finished exactly where they started.
However, the new race-day tire rule might change things. Williams driver Carlos Sainz predicted:
“It [Qualifying] will be less critical this year.”
Sainz elaborated:
“There is an element of lottery with the two-stop that we will need to keep an eye on because it`s going to throw some curveballs into strategy and everything.”
He added that Monaco races
“Lately Monaco has been too processional and that`s why I think they are bringing the two-stop.”
Sainz concluded:
“Most importantly it`s qualifying and then knowing how to manage the race, so let`s see if there`s not too much of a lottery.”
Two-time Monaco victor Fernando Alonso, currently seeking his first points of the season with Aston Martin, commented:
“Definitely the two stops will give some hope after Saturday night.”
He explained:
“Normally in Monaco after qualifying everything is locked for the weekend and you don`t have much to do on Sunday, while now you may be lucky or you choose the right moment to stop and there is some hope to make some places. Hopefully we come up with something interesting for Sunday.”
Lewis Hamilton, a driver who has frequently advocated for changes to improve racing at the prestigious Monaco event, remarked:
“I think it`s good to try something different, if you keep doing the same thing over and over and over you`re going to get the same result, so I think it`s cool that they`re trying something different.”
Hamilton added:
“Whether or not it`s the answer, we`ll find out. It`s definitely going to be different to what we`ve had in the past years. Whether that`s better or not, I have no idea, I can`t predict, but I like the way it`s looking.”
So, What Can We Expect on Sunday?
The saying “fortune favours the brave” might particularly apply this Sunday, as strategic risks, especially coinciding with a well-timed Safety Car or red flag, could significantly improve a driver`s position.
Having `clean air` to push hard will be crucial. Drivers starting further down the grid are likely to pit early to complete one of their two required stops, aiming to get out of traffic.
For the front runners, the key strategic decision will be who initiates the first pit stop phase to attempt an `undercut` on a rival. Conversely, some drivers might choose to run longer (`overcut`), hoping for a Safety Car period that allows for a `cheaper` stop with minimal time loss in the pit lane.
“There is a going to be an element of dice rolling, potentially,” explained Haas driver Oliver Bearman.
He added:
“But it really depends where you qualify because the fastest two-stop is `X` but it won`t be that if you are starting somewhere else and it won`t be that if you are starting 16th. It`s really going to depend on what`s happening.”
Bearman continued:
“I think you`re going to see a big variety on Sunday which is going to make it interesting. I`m in a way happy to be an underdog in this situation because it`s mine to gain from and lose from in a way.”
He concluded:
“If I was sitting in a McLaren this weekend as a favourite to be on pole then I would be a bit disappointed because it`s another uncertainty that you could potentially lose a win for, but I hope this can give us an opportunity to have an exciting race.”
And finally:
“I`ve been trying to think about some crazy stuff, but I think that`s what Saturday night will be about after qualifying. Our appetite for risk will be very different depending on where we start.”
Mercedes` George Russell commented:
“It will be interesting. If you start on the medium or soft tyre and there`s an early Safety Car or a lap one red flag like last season, you have an easy one-stop to the end of the race.”
He concluded:
“For the drivers who have started on the hard tyre, it`s very challenging. But then you have the same in the opposite direction. If you go long and there`s a Safety Car in the middle… it`s going to make it more exciting.”
