F1 drivers see both ‘lottery’ and ‘opportunity’ in new two-stop Monaco Grand Prix rule

Formula 1’s governing body instituted a new rule for the Monaco Grand Prix, hoping to increase opportunities for overtaking and improve the “racing spectacle.” Starting this season, drivers are required to make two pit stops and use three different tires — including two different compounds if the race is run in dry conditions.

On Thursday’s media day ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, several drivers offered their thoughts on what the rule could mean this weekend.

Max Verstappen, speaking during the FIA Press Conference, opined that it could go either way.

“I guess it can go both ways – it can be quite straightforward, or it can go completely crazy because of Safety Cars coming into play or not making the right calls,” said Verstappen. “I think it will spice it up probably a bit more. Normally, with one stop, once you have a good pit stop and everything is fine, then you drive to the end and just stay focused and not hit the barrier.

“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.”

Williams driver Alex Albon outlined that team strategy could come into play in the race Sunday.

“I think the biggest thing is – obviously, we’re doing this to shake it up,” began Albon. :And the worry is that it doesn’t shake it up and it just creates, like you’re saying, a lap-one situation where everyone starts to come into the pits and just tries to take some of the space and use lap two, three, four, five – whatever it may be – to push. Who knows?

“The biggest thing if you speak to the team, and I think every strategist, is that we don’t really know how it’s going to play out. Especially in the midfield, it’s team-mates and how they help each other. A good example would be Jeddah last year with Haas, when Kevin [Magnussen] made a race where he basically parked the bus and allowed Nico [Hülkenberg] to have a free stop,” continued the Williams driver. “When you do work that around a track like here with two stops, that’s definitely possible. You don’t want a race like that. That’s not to say I think it’s a bad idea to do a two-stop. I think we need to try something – but it may not really change the style of the race.”

Speaking in the other press conference session, Pierre Gasly admitted that he saw “opportunities” with the new rule.

“I always see things from the bright angle. So, I see opportunities. I see some unknowns, which we should embrace rather than be afraid of. At the end of the day, I’m not too sure anybody knows what this is going to do. It might not change much,” said Gasly. “I think what remains extremely important is qualifying. We know if you get it right in quali, you’ve done a big part of the job. But I’m sure it’s going to open up some potential strategy, which we’ll have to be on top of.”

Albon’s teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. outlined how the rule could minimize the importance of Saturday’s qualifying session — largely considered the most important of the year — and turn the race into something resembling a “lottery.”

“[Qualifying] will be less critical this year. 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,” said Sainz. “Lately Monaco has been too processional and that’s why I think they are bringing the two-stop. 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.”

Other drivers who view the rule as an opportunity include Fernando Alonso, and Oliver Bearman.

“In a way I think it’s good, because it will give some hope on Saturday night,” said Alonso when speaking with the official F1 channel. “Normally at Monaco after Saturday more or less the positions are locked, but I think thanks to this two-stop, I think it’s going to be some hope and possibilities for Sunday.

“I think it’s a good thing, obviously it’s a test, but we’ll see on Sunday night – I’m looking forward [to it].”

Alonso is still searching for his first points of the 2025 season.

“If I was sitting in a McLaren this weekend as a favorite 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,” said Bearman.

“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.”