“Going to throw a spanner in the works” – F1 drivers react to two-stop Monaco GP

Formula 1 races in Monaco this weekend in an event that is both must-see and, at times, incredibly dull. To try and spice up the racing action, F1 tweaked the tyre rules for this year’s Monaco Grand Prix to force teams to carry out two pitstops during the race. 

The rules, which were announced earlier this year, mandate that teams use three sets of tyres across two compounds. The theoretical two pitstops will also be required if there is rain during Sunday’s race. 

As is the case with any rule change in F1, the new regulations have divided drivers and teams. Some believe this brings “hope” of new opportunities in the race, while others say it won’t do anything to increase overtakes on the Monaco track.

“It’s difficult to say and to predict,” said Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg when asked about what change the new rules would bring.  “It definitely adds another variability into the race that can go your way, or really against you, I guess.” 

Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda is another racer who is ready to “see how it goes” this weekend. He said F1 had to do something about the historic race as “you can’t overtake here”, and added that the mandatory stops could add “a bit of spice” to the event.  

But despite the added opportunities for action that the extra tyre change could bring, Tsunoda warned that some teams may sacrifice one driver’s race in order to aid another’s, which was a view shared by Williams’ Carlos Sainz. 

“I think the drivers will probably force us potentially to push a bit more,” the Spaniard said. 

“I’m just a bit worried of teams playing a bit too much with the pace to help the other team-mates. I hope there’s not too many gimmicks with that, but it’s a one-two.”

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri didn’t mince his words on the regulation change, however, and said that the extra stop could “throw a spanner in the works for everyone”.

“I think you can roll the dice a bit more, but there’s a lot of strategic elements involved,” the Australian said. “Will it increase overtaking? No. 

“But it will probably lead to a more complicated result.”

Other drivers are more optimistic about how the rules could transform racing in Monaco, which is often something of a procession once lights go out on Sunday.

In fact, during last year’s event there were just four on-track overtakes over the course of the 78-lap race. 

The rule change could prevent this kind of procession from happening again, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen said it would “spice it up” come Sunday and will add more uncertainty to proceedings. 

“When you have that one stop, once you have a good pitstop and everything is fine, then you drive to the end,” the Dutchman said.

“But maybe with the two stops, it can create something different. People gambling, guessing, you know, when the right time is to box. So hopefully it will spice it up a bit more.” 

George Russell echoed Verstappen’s comments, in a rare moment of agreement between the pair, and added that he was “excited” to see how teams approach the rules come Sunday. 

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso also believes two stops could turn out to be “better than one” around the narrow city streets.  

“Obviously when you are on pole, you prefer to have one [stop] and to have a boring race and normal Monaco,” the Spaniard said.

“I don’t think we will be on pole, so you always think on Saturday night that the two-stop will offer an opportunity to make some places and to be lucky with the calls.

“I think it gives some hope on Saturday night for 99% of the grid. And also, on Sunday, anything can happen if you are in control of those stops, but let’s see.” 

The double world champion added that the test showed that F1 is going in a “good direction” as it tries to liven up racing in the Principality.

“I think there’s going to be an element of dice rolling potentially,” said Haas racer Oliver Bearman. “I think you’re going to see a big variety on Sunday, which is going to make it interesting.” 

And deep down, isn’t interesting all we really want from the Monaco Grand Prix? 

Additional reporting by Oleg Karpov, Ronald Vording and Mark Mann-Bryans