Racing Bulls executed a brilliant strategic move during the Monaco Grand Prix, shaking up the midfield chaos and emerging with a stellar performance thanks to the new two-stop rule. The team, based in Faenza, turned what seemed like a mundane regulation into a golden opportunity, ensuring both their drivers, Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, scored crucial points in the F1 2025 season.
Teamwork was at the heart of Racing Bulls’ success at the Monaco GP. With a concerted strategy, they dived into the complexities of the new two-stop pit rule, leveraging it to its fullest potential. The savvy approach didn’t just bring them points, but also pushed them into competition with Haas for sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship. Isack Hadjar, showcasing his rookie prowess, finished in an impressive sixth place following a strong qualifying session, while Liam Lawson notched his first points of the season and achieved his debut Q3 appearance.
The circuit of Monaco is notoriously challenging for overtaking, requiring a driver to be several seconds faster than the car ahead to make any move stick. This track characteristic played right into Racing Bulls’ hands. At the start, the team had both drivers in close proximity, allowing them to manipulate race pace strategically. With Lawson functioning as a buffer, he created a gap that permitted Hadjar to pit and return without losing crucial time. As a result, Hadjar was able to maintain competitive speed and complete the necessary two-stop strategy with great precision. Meanwhile, Lawson maintained a measured pace to aid in developing this advantage, a task he executed flawlessly without succumbing to errors.
Another key moment came after the virtual safety car ended, allowing Lawson to delicately control the gap to Hadjar, while ensuring they stayed ahead of their immediate rivals. By Lap 13, the gap between the two Racing Bulls cars had strategically widened over 20 seconds, a crucial margin given that a green-flag pit stop in Monaco typically costs a driver approximately 19 to 20 seconds. This enabled Hadjar to pit for a fresh set of soft tires and continue to push with an open track ahead.
In the second phase of the race, Hadjar’s pace was notably faster compared to Lawson and the trailing pack, maintaining a lead by consistently driving 4 to 5 seconds a lap quicker. This precision was essential to consolidate his position, although a DNF ultimately benefitted Lawson’s position even further. Intriguingly, Williams took notice of this well-executed strategy and mirrored it with their own drivers, albeit a bit delayed since they were stuck behind Lawson riding this strategic wave.
Ultimately, Racing Bulls’ strategy paid off handsomely, with both drivers capitalizing on excellent coordination and communication to exploit new race rules. The team wrapped up the Monaco GP as the fourth-fastest on the field, trailing only McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull, marking a high point in their season’s performance so far.
Racing Bulls’ calculated and bold tactics in Monaco underscore that understanding and innovation can turn the tides in competitive racing. Their efforts in leveraging the two-stop rule not only brought a spirited competition to the mid-tier teams but also bolstered their standings considerably. It exemplifies how strategic planning and teamwork can redefine outcomes even in the tightest of settings.
