After attempts to enhance the racing spectacle at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday proved unsuccessful, discussions have already begun regarding the future of Formula 1`s most renowned event.
To try and improve racing on what is undeniably the tightest circuit on the calendar, the governing body, the FIA, introduced a unique regulation for this year`s race, requiring every driver to use three different tyre compounds, effectively mandating two pit stops.
It was also observed that Pirelli`s new softest tyre compound for 2025, despite having a positive effect at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix the previous week, failed to make a similar impact in Monaco, suggesting that a much more drastic change in tyre strategy would be needed to alter the dynamics.
While there was certainly more activity in the pit lane, right from the start, there were still very few changes to the expected finishing order. Lando Norris secured the win after starting from pole position. Teams also employed controversial strategic tactics during the race.
Recognizing that overtaking was nearly impossible, both Racing Bulls and Williams instructed one of their drivers to significantly slow down. This tactic was used to back up the cars behind them, creating enough of a gap for their designated lead driver to make a pit stop without losing track position. As a result of the mandated two stops, compared to the usual one, this often-criticized strategic maneuver in Monaco was effectively amplified. Both teams managed to finish with both of their cars scoring points in the top 10.
It became clear that, much like under the standard racing rules applied at other circuits, a safety car intervention seemed necessary in Monaco to inject any real excitement into the race.
However, the absence of a safety car might have been a positive outcome. Such an event would likely have shuffled the order based purely on luck rather than driver performance, potentially denying Lando Norris a well-deserved victory.
With near-total agreement among the paddock that these recent rules need to be changed or abandoned, the focus now shifts back to the sport`s authorities to determine the best path forward for 2026.
Change the track layout?
One of the most obvious, and long-debated, solutions involves modifying the track layout to create a genuine opportunity for overtaking.
Yet, if a simple method existed to achieve this, it would undoubtedly have been implemented years ago.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and his Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff, despite often having differing views, were in agreement after Sunday`s race, urging the event organizers to explore the possibility of layout changes.
Horner commented, “I think it`s the only way to really encourage any form of overtaking. I don`t think I saw a single overtake in the race.” He added, “Trying to create a bit more braking area either on the exit of the tunnel or Turn One, if there was any way of creating a longer braking zone somewhere we should really investigate it.”
“I think everything has to move with the times, ultimately, doesn`t it?” Horner continued. “It`s an iconic, historic circuit. If you look at how Monaco has changed, how much land they`ve reclaimed into the sea in the 72 appearances here, I don`t think you would need to maybe do too much.`”
Wolff echoed this sentiment, stating, “We also need to talk with maybe ACM [Automobile Club de Monaco]. Is there anything we can change on the layout?”
Can the 2025 rules be tinkered with?
While the general opinion was that this initial attempt to liven up the race had not succeeded, most agreed that experimenting with something different was worthwhile.
Wolff suggested that mandating the use of an additional set of tyres, which implies a theoretical extra pit stop, is an idea worth developing further.
The Austrian proposed that introducing a limit on how slowly cars are allowed to drive could help counteract some of the negative consequences seen on Sunday.
He explained, “I think what we can look at is to create some more specific regulations that there`s only a maximum of back-off that you can have.” Wolff added, “You can say you can`t go slower than `x` seconds from the leaders. That would probably create a little bit more of a closer feel.`”
However, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur opposed such a suggestion, arguing that controlling the pace in this way is “impossible to police.”
“Now, to police it, honestly, it`s impossible because it`s not the first time,” Vasseur stated. “I remember last year we played a game also where you try to manage the gap between your two cars.” He continued, “You can always do something like this on track and if you want to start to police it, what is the limit? Is it three tenths? One second? Two seconds? Three seconds? But we are going to force it [if that was in place].`”
Could new 2026 car regulations help?
Formula 1 is set for significant regulation changes next season, affecting both engines and chassis design.
Former world champion and F1 commentator Jenson Button expressed optimism that the new cars could potentially improve the situation in Monaco.
Button remarked, “`Next year it will be better. The difference in the cars and the way they work, you can use the hybrid system more for overtaking and the cars will be smaller.`”
However, reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who has won in Monaco twice, suggested that far more extreme modifications to the cars would be needed to achieve competitive racing at the event on a Sunday.
“`Even at the end, I was in the lead, my tyres were completely gone and you still can`t pass,`” Verstappen said. “`Nowadays with an F1 car, you can just pass an F2 car around here. I get it but I don`t think it`s worked.`” He humorously added, “`We were almost doing Mario Kart. Then we have to install bits on the car and maybe you can throw bananas around! Slippery surface!`”
Embrace qualifying even more!
While the race on Sunday in Monaco often lacks excitement, the qualifying session on Saturday consistently delivers high drama.
In the recent event, Lando Norris managed to snatch pole position back from Charles Leclerc in the final moments, after the Monegasque driver had thrilled his home crowd by briefly holding provisional pole.
A key reason qualifying in Monaco is so special is the drivers` acute awareness of just how critical grid position is for the following day`s race, adding significant weight to the qualifying outcome.
Norris commented, “`I think Formula 1 should not turn into just a show to entertain people. It`s a sport. It`s who can race the best, who can qualify the best.” He added, “`Everything was about Saturday. That`s the way it`s been since whatever the first year – 50, 60 years ago. So, the last thing I want is manufactured racing.`”
Norris` fellow British driver George Russell, who had a frustrating afternoon finishing outside the points, proposed that Monaco should consider focusing even more on qualifying, perhaps even replacing the race with two qualifying sessions.
“`For all of the drivers, qualifying is the most exhilarating moment of the weekend,` Russell stated.
“`There should be no race, and it`s a qualifying race. You do one on Saturday, one on Sunday. The guy who qualifies pole gets some points and gets a little trophy, and the one on Sunday gets some more points.`” He explained his rationale: “`That`s what we love most. I think that`s what you guys enjoy watching the most. And 99 per cent of the other people in Monaco are here sipping champagne on the yacht, so they don`t really care!`”
With the F1 calendar moving swiftly to the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, the discussion will quickly shift, but the challenge of making Monaco Sundays more compelling remains for the sport.
