In an attempt to make Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix more exciting for fans, the FIA introduced a new rule this year, making two compulsory pitstops mandatory.
With Monte Carlo’s almost impossible ahead of the streets, the idea was at least to add some more strategic conspiracy.
In practice, however, the new rule gave unexpected results.
Racing bulls and like teams Williams Using a car to deliberately exploited rules using a car to catch the ground, so that his team-met would benefit from one or two ‘free’ pitstops. It provoked the debate in the Padock Post -Race: What is this F1 – should the slow driving be rewarded in the peak of motorcystroke?
Drivers warn against more race manipulation in future
Given that debate, it is probably surprising that Monaco is back in sports rules for two-stop rules 2026.
After an e-Vot by the FIA World Motor Sports Council, Article 6.3.6 now reads: “For the race in Monaco, each driver should use at least three sets of tires of any specification.”
While there is still no need to use all three compounds, two pitstops are naturally meant to use three sets during Monaco GP.
Max Vastapane, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images through Getty Images
For some teams, including Williams, this news came as a surprise. Carlos Sainz One of the most vocal drivers after the race in the princely state, in which the strategy was described as ‘race manipulation’.
He said, “You are pushing the car ahead for two or three seconds. You are eventually manipulating the race and manipulating the result a bit,” he said.
“We should find a way that cannot be done in the future because I think people are going to do it more and more every year. I am afraid that as we move forward, the teams are going to be more comfortable that we did, and it is going to be too much.”
FIA answers: Open for better ideas than teams
After the case, Nicolas Tombazis, director of the FIA’s single-seater, clarified the situation in an interview with Autosport: “First, we don’t think that what we saw this year is necessary that it is necessary to repeat or target for the target. There is an issue to address.
“Currently 2026 rules still include two pitstops for Monaco, but we are in August and Monaco is in June next year. The intent is to discuss it more in the Sports Advisory Committee.”
The rule is in place for now, but this does not mean that it is set in stone. Tombazis said: “It has always been our intention to see what can be done. It is clearly a track issue, which means overtaking is almost impossible, if not impossible. It is not impossible. It is the root cause of these issues, not one or two stops or something.
“Clearly request to be constructive and proposed for the teams. We are not yet sold on a particular solution in the FIA. If there are proposals that will improve it, we will definitely support them. It is one of the subjects that will be discussed with the Sports Advisory Committee and F1 Commission in the next few meetings.”
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