FIA confirms mandatory two-stop strategy for F1’s Monaco GP

The FIA World Motor Sport Council has confirmed changes specific to the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, with a minimum of two pitstops now mandatory during the race.

The additional stops were first mooted at F1’s latest commission meeting and now it has been confirmed that every car will have to pit twice, regardless of the weather conditions.

A statement read: “The FIA World Motor Sport Council reviewed a proposal regarding the implementation of a mandatory 2-stop strategy (in both wet and dry conditions) for the Monaco GP, with the primary intent of improving the sporting spectacle of this race given the notable difficulty in overtaking at this circuit.

“Following recent discussions in the F1 Commission, a specific requirement for the Monaco GP has been approved mandating the use of at least three sets of tyres in the race, with a minimum of two different tyre compounds to be used if it’s a dry race.”

F1 has struggled to provide entertainment around the streets of Monte Carlo of late, largely down to the width of the current cars, while one-stop strategies are all too common with track position king.

The situation reached a head last year when an early red flag allowed drivers to switch tyre compounds before the restart, with only six drivers later visiting the pitlane under race conditions.

Other topics covered by the commission meeting, held before the F175 livery launch event at London’s O2 Arena, included ratifying additional wing flex tests set to be imposed on the teams in response to the controversies over flexing aerodynamics across 2024.

As a result, more stringent rear wing tests will begin from the start of the 2025 season, while the same will also be applied to the front wing tests from the Spanish Grand Prix.

Furthermore, the driver cooling system parameters have now been defined, as it is set to be included within the 2025 regulations for races where a ‘heat hazard’ is declared.

Autosport revealed last week that the new wearable-tech shirts designed to keep drivers cool would be optional this year before becoming mandatory from 2026.