Max Verstappen Disappointed with Two-Pitstop Experiment in Monaco Grand Prix

In an attempt to spice up the Monaco Grand Prix, Formula 1 (F1) imposed a rule forcing cars to run three different sets of tyres, effectively turning the race into a two-stopper. However, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen feels that this experiment has not yielded the desired results.

The Two-Pitstop Rule: A Failed Attempt at Making Monaco More Interesting?

The additional pitstop added an element of risk to the race and caused unusual tactics, with teams like Racing Bulls and Williams deliberately slowing down to create gaps for their teammates. Verstappen waited until the final lap to make his second stop, hoping for a late red flag that would allow him to change tyres for free and potentially win the race instead of finishing fourth.

Verstappen acknowledged F1’s and the FIA’s need to experiment with the Monaco race, but he didn’t feel it worked. “You can’t race here anyway,” Verstappen told Sky. “One stop, 10 stops. Even at the end, I was in the lead, but my tyres were completely gone, and you still can’t pass.

The street track exposed Red Bull’s long-standing weaknesses over bumps and kerbs, with Verstappen qualifying seven tenths behind polesitter Lando Norris in fifth. With no other options to move up, Verstappen felt his decision to delay his final stop until the very end was at least worth trying in case a red flag would come out.

Yeah, there was nothing to lose,” Verstappen said. “I had a big gap behind. It was still the same position for me, but that’s Monaco for you. Qualifying is super important. Normally, when nothing bad happens, you don’t really move forward. And if you just do normal pit stops, you just keep your position, and that’s exactly what happened today.

Verstappen heads to next weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona 25 points behind McLaren‘s Oscar Piastri, who saw teammate Lando Norris move within three points by grabbing his second win of the season around the streets of Monte Carlo.