The Impact of Mandatory Two-Stop Race on Monaco Grand Prix

Get ready for an exhilarating twist in the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend! The FIA World Motor Sport Council has announced a game-changing rule – each driver must make a minimum of two pit stops during the race. This move is aimed at injecting excitement into the tight, twisty streets of Monte Carlo, where racing entertainment has been lacking recently.

Spicing Up the Race with Two-Stop Strategies

The current width of the cars and one-stop strategies have made it challenging for F1 to provide entertainment in Monaco. Last year, an early red flag allowed drivers to switch tyre compounds before the restart, with only six drivers later visiting the pitlane under race conditions. This new rule aims to address these issues and create a more unpredictable race.

The implications of this change are yet to be fully understood. Some speculate that cars starting further back could pit twice early on and then run to the end on the hard compound. Only time will tell how successful this move will be.

Carlos Sainz’s Perspective on the Two-Stop Rule

Williams driver, Carlos Sainz, believes that the “lottery” of Monaco will become even more unpredictable with the two-stop rule. He expressed optimism about the change but also voiced concerns about potential team orders being manipulated as a result.

There’s an element of lottery that Monaco can always offer. I think this year, that element is going to be a bit bigger given the two-stop rather than the one-stop,” Sainz said. He also expressed concern about teams potentially manipulating pace to help their teammates.

Nico Hulkenberg’s View on the Two-Stop Rule

Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg believes that the two-stop rule will not significantly alter the fact that position on track is crucial, regardless of the number of pit stops a driver must make. He cautioned that luck could still play a role, but emphasized that it all depends on where you start and your track position at the time.