Bernie Collins suggests ‘very specific’ way F1 teams could get around FIA’s new Monaco Grand Prix tyre rule

The Monaco Grand Prix is the crown jewel in the Formula 1 calendar but often faces criticism for creating processional races, tempting the FIA to add a new one-off rule.

Fans tend to love or loathe the Monaco GP as the streets of the Principality are perhaps too narrow for modern Formula 1 cars. The size of an F1 car has grown massively over the years and further reduced the possibility for overtakes on Monte Carlo’s iconic harbourside roads.

A first-lap red flag in last year’s race did not help the show, either, as Ferrari driver and home hero Charles Leclerc won the 2024 Monaco GP from pole position. Teams could all complete their mandatory tyre change in the stoppage and go without an actual pit stop until the flag.

Bernie Collins outlines a loophole with the FIA mandating three tyre sets at the Monaco GP

The FIA has now reacted to Sergio Perez and Kevin Magnussen’s Monaco GP crash creating an effective no-stop race last year by mandating that drivers must make two tyre changes by rule in just the Principality. Drivers still have to make one tyre change at every other F1 race.

But whilst drivers now need to use three different sets of tyres – whilst still fulfilling the rule for using at least two different tyre compounds, unless it rains – at the Monaco GP, ex-Force India and McLaren strategy engineer Bernie Collins feels the new rule may leave a loophole.

READ MORE: Seven unforgettable Monaco GP moments including Senna vs Mansell and Schumacher’s controversy

Upon confirmation from the FIA of the introduction of the Monaco-specific pit stop rule, the Sky Sports F1 pundit suggested that teams near the rear of the field might look to fulfil their obligation to use three different tyre sets in the first few laps and run without stopping after.

Collins said on Sky Sports F1 (26/02, 16:17). “Now, often, theoretically, a two-stop strategy is actually the quickest way to do Monaco. If you’re doing it on your own, it’s the quickest way but because of traffic, it’s not.

“So, my initial thought upon reading it was, ‘If I was last in the Monaco Grand Prix, I would stop Lap 1 and stop Lap 2 and have no more pit stops to do and be able to close up to the back of the pack and, hopefully, be ahead of others when they do their two stops later on’.

“So, unless there’s a minimum stint which we did in Qatar two years ago – which also didn’t work because it really restricted strategy – then what stops someone under a Lap 1 safety car who’s running a bit out of position doing their two pit stops then, complying with the regulation and effectively no stops going forward?

“Maybe there’s something in the proper regulation that prevents that very specific case.”

Charles Leclerc is excited by the FIA’s new Monaco GP tyre rule

It remains to be seen if Collins’ fear that teams could look to almost cheat the FIA’s new rule of using three different tyre sets in the Monaco Grand Prix bares fruit when Formula 1 visits the Principality. The 2025 Monaco GP takes place across May 23, 24 and 25 for round eight.

Ferrari driver Leclerc is excited to see how the FIA’s new tyre rule changes strategies in the Monaco GP after he won without making an actual pit stop in 2024. The Monegasque took advantage of the early stoppage and Monaco’s lack of tyre degradation to cruise to victory.