Overtaking at the Monaco GP has been tricky over the last few seasons due to a tight and twisty track and larger cars. The race has come under criticism and the dissatisfaction keeps increasing. However, the FIA devised a new rule to help action around the iconic streets of Monte Carlo.
The FIA introduced a mandatory two-stop strategy to provide an entertaining race. The aim was to allow different strategies and compounds, allowing drivers to fight each other. However, this failed to materialise with another Monaco GP passing without much overtaking action.
Monaco GP lacks overtakes despite mandatory two-stop strategy
The Monaco GP only had two overtakes throughout the 78 laps around the principality. The FIA’s two-stop strategy to improve on-track action failed to materialise in overtakes. And drivers were critical of the race and the strategy enforced on them.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen said: “I get it, but I don’t think it has worked. You can’t race here anyway so it doesn’t matter what you do. 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.”
“We were almost doing Mario Kart. Then we have to install bits on the car – maybe you can throw bananas around? I don’t know, slippery surface.”
😂| Russell speculates on how to make the Monaco race more exciting:
“Yeah, I’ve got a really good idea.”
💦“So, every driver has a button that they get to use once per weekend to put the sprinklers on around the track. You get a choice if you want to do it in qualifying or in… pic.twitter.com/57ULDN6tMp
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) May 25, 2025
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff added: “You’re winning or losing on Saturday. This is where it’s relevant from a sporting point of view, and that is where we haven’t done well enough yesterday. Obviously, it was a bad qualifying. I think we gave it a try with two stops in order to improve it, and I don’t think that changed anything — it didn’t work.”
The Monaco GP is the most glamorous race of the season, and it is every driver’s dream to stand on the top step of the podium in the principality. However, a solution is needed to improve the action or its place on the F1 calendar will continue to be questioned.
Teams play the ultimate game to score points at the Monaco GP
During the Monaco GP, teams used both drivers to help them score a double points finish. Early on, Liam Lawson drove six seconds a lap slower than teammate Isack Hadjar. As cars couldn’t pass Lawson, this helped Hadjar stay ahead of the train behind Lawson, to stay ahead after he made both his stops. Williams also used this tactic.
Former F1 world champion Jenson Button was critical of this tactic. He said: “When teams were using one driver to help another and going six seconds a lap slower, it looked a bit silly. Then we had George trying to jump Albon through the chicane to get in front and push on, again, it makes a bit of a mockery of it.”
Lando Norris Clinches Monaco Win Amid Midfield Strategy Battles
“As a kid, eight years old, you look at F1 as the pinnacle and think you want to get there because you drive fast. Then you come to Monaco, and it’s about driving as slow as you can for your teammate. And the drivers are embarrassed, but they did what they had to, to score points.”
The tactic worked well for Racing Bulls and Williams as both teams scored with both drivers. However, it highlighted the lack of ability to race hard in Monaco and showed how important your starting position is. However, there is hope for Monaco. Next season, the 2026 cars will be smaller and narrower, hopefully allowing the cars to go wheel-to-wheel in the streets of Monte Carlo.
