Monaco Grand Prix: F1 reveals plans to enforce extra pit stops for 'better racing' in Monte Carlo
The Monaco Grand Prix could see a significant rule change as F1 looks to improve the racing at its most famous event; watch F1 pre-season testing live on Sky Sports F1 from February 26-28 in Bahrain
Wednesday 19 February 2025 10:25, UK
Formula 1 has revealed plans to increase the number of mandatory pit stops at the Monaco Grand Prix in a bid for "better racing".
A lack of overtaking at F1's most famous race has led to largely processional racing in recent years due to the tight nature of the circuit and the bigger cars.
The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix saw the top 10 start and finish in the same positions, with a red flag on the opening lap taking out any strategic element.
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Since 2010, F1 rules state that at least two dry tyre compounds must be used in a Grand Prix if the conditions are dry, therefore each driver must complete a pit stop, unless there is a red flag which allows you to change tyres.
F1 and the Monaco Grand Prix agreed a new deal last year that will see the event remain on the calendar until at least 2031.
"With the aim of promoting better racing at the Monaco Grand Prix, the commission discussed proposals for Monaco-specific regulations," read a statement from the FIA after an F1 Commission meeting at the Formula One Management offices in London ahead of Tuesday night's F1 75 Launch event at the O2 Arena.
"The commission agreed to increase the numbers of mandatory pit stops in the Race. These proposals will be further discussed by the Sporting Advisory Committee in the coming weeks."
Charles Leclerc won his home event in Monaco last year with a lights-to-flag victory from Oscar Piastri and he thinks having at least two pit stops will help.
"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."
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso half-joked: "It depends where you start! If you start in the middle you need a lot, if you start second or third, maybe you need one stop, if you start last maybe 10 or 12! I won two times and it was OK with that number of stops."
What else was decided at the F1 Commission?
F1 and the FIA also confirmed new deflection tests on front wings, after controversy about teams exploiting wing flexing last year.
The new tests on front wings will be introduced from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards, the ninth race of the year in early June, with new tests on rear wings beginning from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
There are no longer limits on the number of gearboxes which can be used and clarifications have been made around start procedures, after Lando Norris and George Russell pulled away from the grid at last year's Sao Paulo Grand Prix when the "aborted start" message emerged.
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