The Monaco GP is seen as the crown jewel of F1, with every driver dreaming of standing on the podium in the Principality. However, racing in Monte Carlo has become a bit stale due to the narrow circuit and the large cars.
The FIA has introduced a mandatory second pit stop to spice up the race. This is an attempt to bring strategic intrigue to the race, which will most likely lack overtaking. But how will this affect the race weekend?
The second mandatory pit stop might shake the Monaco GP up
Racing and overtaking around the streets of Monaco have been difficult for a few years. This is mainly down to the narrow nature of the circuit and the size of the cars. This breed of car in the ground effects era is big and bulky, meaning it’s difficult for them to go wheel-to-wheel through the tight walls.
The FIA stepped in last February and announced that a second mandatory pit stop would be added to enhance the excitement of the race. This means teams will play around with different strategies to get the optimum result. It might also encourage overtaking as drivers will have different tyre offsets.
OFFICIAL: FIA Introduces Mandatory Two-Stop Strategy for Monaco GP to Enhance Racing Action
Pirelli will also bring the C6 tyre to Monaco. The tyre manufacturer deputed their softest compound in Imola, challenging the drivers to keep it alive for a whole lap. This helped create a mixed-up grid and an exciting race. This season’s medium compound will be last season’s soft tyre, meaning higher degradation. This Monaco GP is set up with intrigue.
How will the field shake up?
With the C6 tyre being used again as the qualifying tyre, it could shake things up on the grid. McLaren and Max Verstappen were unaffected by the C6 as they headed the field. However, Ferrari and Mercedes struggled to keep the C6 alive throughout the hot lap. This could again be the case in Monaco, with perhaps the medium tyre being seen as the favourite tyre to qualify on.
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However, this idea would hamper the teams in the race. Aston Martin used the medium tyre to their advantage in qualifying, but it left them short in the race, leading to them plummeting down the field.
The other factor is qualifying, will still be vital in Monaco. Overtaking will still be difficult, and using a strategy to overcut or undercut will be key. The new directive for the race will make this Monaco GP an intriguing prospect up and down the grid.
