The FIA abandons the mandatory double stop at Monaco after a test deemed inconclusive last season.
Introduced during the last edition of the Monaco Grand Prix, the rule requiring two mandatory pit stops did not ultimately survive. Designed by the FIA to energize a race often considered too processional, this measure aimed to inject more strategic uncertainty into the streets of Monte Carlo.
But the result did not meet expectations. Despite the addition of an extra mandatory stop, teams quickly found ways to circumvent the initial goal, by exploiting strategic windows and traffic to limit the effects of the rule.
Peloton strategies that distorted the game
Instead of a more open race, some teams opted for questionable team tactics to control the pace on track. “Blocking” maneuvers were observed, allowing one driver to slow the peloton to facilitate their teammate’s stops without losing significant positions.
In this context, the race sometimes felt more manipulated than truly energized. The hoped-for spectacle therefore did not materialize, which quickly reignited internal discussions within the F1 Commission.
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Faced with these limitations, the FIA and F1 authorities decided not to renew this rule for the following season. The idea was ambitious, but its implementation did not significantly improve the quality of racing on the Monaco street circuit.
An ongoing reflection for the future
By quietly removing this obligation, the FIA implicitly acknowledges that the experiment did not work as planned. The objective remains unchanged: to find solutions to make Monaco more spectacular, a challenge that remains one of the most complex on the F1 calendar.
Even if this two-stop format is abandoned, reflections around the Monaco Grand Prix do not stop there. The new generation of cars, lighter and more maneuverable, could offer better overtaking opportunities.
However, few observers expect a radical transformation. At Monaco, qualifying will likely remain the decisive element of the weekend for a long time to come.
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