Formula 1 tried to experiment at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix by forcing all the teams into a mandated two-stop strategy.
The rule was a reaction to what happened in 2024 when an early red flag enabled teams to change their tyres, effectively creating a sprint race until the end.
Approved by the teams earlier in the year, the desired outcome was to generate more strategy options for teams and potentially create overtaking opportunities on track.
Jenson Button felt the teams made a ‘mockery’ of the new rules, as those in the top ten went six seconds slower than the leaders to generate a pit stop gap.
Reacting to the news on social media, former F1 driver and GPDA chairman Alex Wurz has made suggestions for improving the track and fans have agreed that one change could bring better racing.
Fans agree with Alex Wurz on change to Nouvelle Chicane in Monaco
The tight Monaco street circuit has always been difficult to overtake on, as Ayrton Senna proved in 1992 when he attempted to pass Nigel Mansell in the final two laps on fresher tyres.
Several other drivers have also won by keeping quicker cars behind them, notably Lewis Hamilton in 2019 and Sebastian Vettel in 2011. Wurz believes a change made to the Nouvelle Chicane as drivers exit the tunnel could generate more overtaking opportunities, and fans agree.
One fan commented: “Really nice Alex. Found myself doodling changes too, and reached similar findings regarding the Nouvelle chicane, although by my calculations you can gain even more space while retaining Tabac flat.”
Some fans also made their own suggestions, with one commenting: “Agree with all these, and they should all be fairly feasible too. How about smoothing out Anthony Noghès too, so it’s one right-hand bend, rather than the right-left kink which slows everyone down? That would increase the length of the straight and DRS zone”
Another fan said: “Great design, I think that the chicane should be moved even further back (around 200 metres from where it is now) and also make it more open to the inside.”
One fan said: “These are very, very interesting changes Alex.” Other fans agree with the changes made by Wurz, with one commenting: “I can see the first change making a difference. Thanks for putting these options together – fantastic!”
Even though Monaco’s position on the calendar is safe until 2031, questions might be asked if the race fails to deliver on the spectacle it promises. One fan thinks the changes could help save the race: “This could actually help to save Monaco. A race itself where the qualifying is important makes the qualifying more exciting.”
F1 will not solve Monaco problem in 2026
Unless changes are made to the track, F1 is unlikely to solve the problem with the 2026 cars. The width of the cars is the main sticking point, but this is only set to reduce by two inches next season.
Compared to 2011, when the cars were significantly narrower, nearly 30 overtakes happened on track including some with the help of DRS.
Toto Wolff suggested a minimum lap time could be introduced in 2026 to prevent teams from gaming the system, after both Mercedes were impacted by Williams’ tactics.
Changes to Monaco have not been made since 2015, when Tabac corner was moved slightly in a bid to increase overtaking moves.
