Here’s why new Monaco Grand Prix rule of mandatory second pit stop rule is crucial

Securing a top position in Qualification and maintaining it during the race—that’s the winning formula for any driver at the Monaco Grand Prix. The 2024 race at the Circuit de Monaco perfectly illustrated this, with the top 10 starters finishing in the exact same positions. The key strategy revolves around waiting for an opponent to pit before making a move. This is why F1’s decision to introduce multiple-pitstop strategies has been widely applauded by drivers, promising to make the race at the iconic Circuit de Monaco more competitive and exciting.

Why the new rule is crucial

As part of the 2017 technical regulations, F1 cars were widened from 1.80 meters to 2 meters. The combination of the circuit’s tight layout and the increasing size of modern cars has made overtaking even more challenging.


To win at Monaco, avoiding undercuts—or overcuts—by rivals is crucial. Pole position or a podium finish often depends on pit stop strategy rather than on-track overtaking.


This is why F1’s decision to introduce multiple-pitstop strategies has been widely applauded by drivers, promising to make the race at the iconic Circuit de Monaco more competitive and exciting. Additionally, tyre changes will now be permitted under red-flag conditions — something that was not allowed in the 2024 season when the race was halted due to a lap-one pile-up involving Nico Hülkenberg, Sergio Pérez, and Kevin Magnussen.


Local hero Charles Leclerc capitalized on that red-flag period, switching from medium to hard tyres, and went on to dominate the race, securing a magnificent victory.


“That was a tricky race. The pace at the beginning was incredibly slow. I had half a look before the tunnel but didn’t have a car small enough to fit through the gap,” Oscar Piastri told Motorsport.com at the time.


The 2024 race at the Circuit de Monaco featured just seven overtaking moves—three from Valtteri Bottas and two from Lance Stroll—but none led to position changes.


Leclerc has supported the FIA World Motor Sport's decision to implement the new changes. "I think it will definitely help the Sunday, especially with strategy. The excitement on Sunday is maybe a bit less than what you will hope," he told Sky Sports News. "The Saturday is incredible but the Sunday maybe need a little bit of spice and hopefully this will give it," he added.

Max Verstappen on the new rule

“It's just one of these tracks where it's very hard to pass,” four-time champion Max Verstappen admitted. “And of course, the bigger we make the cars, the more difficult it is also to race. I felt like in 2016 there was still a little bit of an opportunity. Now that's, of course, gone.”


Also Read: FIA confirms two-stop minimum for Monaco GP to elevate on-track action

Here’s the FIA statement ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix

"The WMSC reviewed a proposal regarding the implementation of a mandatory two-stop strategy (in both wet and dry conditions) for the Monaco GP, with the primary intent of improving the sporting spectacle of this race," an FIA statement released on Wednesday said. It further stated, "Following recent discussions in the F1 Commission, a specific requirement for the Monaco GP has been approved mandating the use of at least three sets of tyres in the race, with a minimum of two different tyre compounds to be used if it's a dry race."