Monaco Grand Prix to Feature Mandatory Two-Stop Strategy Starting in 2025

On Wednesday, February 26th, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) World Council announced that they have approved a new regulation for the Monaco Grand Prix, where teams have to implement a mandatory two-stop strategy. This applies for both wet and dry weather races, creating unpredictable races for the Monaco Grand Prix. 

In the past, the formula to winning in Monaco was to perform well on Qualifying to acquire pole position in the race. Pole position is crucial because the street race in Monaco has a narrow track, making it hard to see any racing excitement, as there is a difficulty in overtaking in the modern cars. Therefore, this mandatory two-stop strategy is implemented to enhance race competitiveness. 

We’ve seen some incredible Monaco wins in the past, where pole position was key, however now pole position may now be equivalent to a win. In 2024, Charles Leclerc took pole at his home race, winning the race with only one pit stop. In the previous year, Max Verstappen took pole position and won with one pit stop. 

With the mandatory two-stop rule, teams will now have to carefully strategize their pit stops, adding an extra layer of complexity to the race. Tire degradation, pit lane traffic, and optimal timing will play a larger role in determining the winner. Fans can expect more strategic battles and possibly unexpected podium finishes, making the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix one of the most exciting in recent history.