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EXPLAINED: What is the new two-stop rule for the Monaco Grand Prix – and how will it work?
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Formula 1 will add another challenge to the mix at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, with two pit stops being mandated for the 2025 race. But how exactly do the new rules work? What are the consequences for breaching them? And what do the drivers think about it all?
What’s changed in Monaco?
Under F1’s usual rules, the only tyre-related requirement during a dry-weather race is for drivers to use at least two different slick compounds – achievable via a one-stop strategy. If conditions are wet, this goes out of the window and full wets and/or intermediates are used as required.
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For the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, however, drivers must use at least three different sets of tyres, which means a minimum of two visits to the pit lane.
It is hoped that the change will inject some excitement into the encounter, which takes place around Monte Carlo’s tight, twisty streets (meaning a lack of overtaking opportunities) and is commonly a one-stop affair.
This year's Monaco Grand Prix will be different with two pit stops being mandated
How will the weather affect things?
If Sunday’s race is affected by rain, drivers can use a combination of slick, intermediate and wet tyres to satisfy the new two-stop rule.
Each driver will be allocated an additional set of full wet tyres (on top of the usual two) to ensure that the rule can be applied even if conditions require the use of extreme wet tyres.
If weather conditions are dry and drivers do not use the intermediate or wet tyres, they must still run at least two different slick tyre compounds across their various stints – as per F1’s usual rules referenced above.
Are there penalties for breaching the rules?
The new Monaco tyre rule is covered off in Article 30.5 of the Sporting Regulations, which also explains what will happen should any driver breach it.
“Unless the race is suspended and cannot be restarted, failure to comply with these requirements will result in the disqualification of the relevant driver from the race results,” reads the section.
“For the race in Monaco, if the race is suspended and cannot be restarted, 30 seconds will be added to the elapsed time of any driver who did not, when required to do so, use at least two specifications of dry-weather tyre during the race, or who did not use at least three sets of tyres of any specification during the race.
“Furthermore, an additional 30 seconds will be added to the elapsed time of any driver who used only one set of tyres of any specification during the race.”
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What have the drivers said about it?
F1’s current crop of drivers welcomed the change when asked about it by the media, with reigning four-time World Champion Max Verstappen expecting some added “spice”.
“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,” the Red Bull racer said.
Verstappen is expecting the change to add some “spice” to the race
“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, and you just have to stay focused and not hit the barrier.
“Maybe with the two-stop it can create something different, people gambling, guessing when the right time is to box, and hopefully it will spice it up a bit more.”
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Alpine driver Pierre Gasly echoed those sentiments, adding: “I see opportunities, I see some unknowns, which we should embrace rather than being afraid of [it].
“At the end of the day, I’m not too sure everybody knows what this is going to do – it might actually not change much. I think what remains extremely important is Qualifying, so you know if you get it right in quali at least you do a big part of the job.
“I’m sure it’s going to open up some potential strategy, which we’ll have to be on top of.”
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