At the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, a mandatory two-stop strategy was introduced with high hopes. The goal? To shake up the race on Monaco’s iconic yet notoriously overtaking-averse track. However, the plan didn’t quite deliver the expected spectacle.
The two-stop strategy was conceived as a way to break the predictable nature of the usual one-stop strategy, often dictated by the crucial track positioning that Monaco demands. In theory, more pit stops could mean more strategic plays, potentially leading to more action on the track. Yet, when put to the test, the anticipated drama fell flat.
Monaco’s unique challenges make overtaking a rare feat, leaving drivers to carefully manage their pace and tire strategy. This year was no different, as the race unfolded with little variation in the running order. Even the prospect of safety cars or race-stopping incidents failed to spice things up. Instead, it turned into a tactical display with some teams using their second drivers to hold back competitors, thereby creating opportunities for lead drivers to execute ‘free’ pit stops without losing track position.
Racing Bulls and Williams were particularly adept at this game of strategy, while Mercedes found themselves out of the points after a disappointing qualifying session. Team principal Toto Wolff didn’t shy away from addressing the shortcomings of the new approach, suggesting that perhaps the next step is to think ‘Monaco-specific’ when it comes to regulations.
Wolff proposed limits on how much a driver can slow down to prevent ‘train holding’, where one slower car bunches up the pack behind it. This, he suggested, may keep the field tighter, though he admitted it is unlikely to transform overtaking feasibility. He also pondered whether Monaco’s course layout could undergo feasible changes, despite its inherent constraints due to the geography of the city enclosed by the sea and a mountain.
In his reflection, Wolff expressed a mixture of disappointment and admiration for the attempt to innovate. “We’re motorsport people at heart,” he explained, as he acknowledged both the spectacle of the event and the struggles with implementing effective change. “This is an unbelievable spectacle,” he commented, recalling his view of the bustling scenes from his terrace the night before the race.
Despite the lackluster effect of the two-stop strategy, Wolff remained open to further experimentation. He emphasized the importance of the Saturday qualification shootout, where much of the drama of Monaco has always resided, and praised the visual spectacle the event consistently delivers. Mercedes, he conceded, was a casualty of its own circumstances this time, with issues like Kimi Antonelli’s brush with a barrier and unexpected power loss in George Russell’s car contributing to their struggle.
While the mandatory two-stop strategy at the Monaco GP didn’t achieve its intended shake-up, it did ignite discussions about how to enhance racing at this historic venue. As teams reflect and strategize for future iterations, the hope for an engaging and unpredictable Monaco GP remains.
