Everything You Must Know About F1 Pitstops at Monaco GP

Formula 1 is introducing a special rule for the Monaco Grand Prix this year to make the famous street race less predictable. Drivers are now required to use at least three different sets of tyres during Sunday’s event.

This does not necessarily mean two mandatory pitstops. The rule comes after last year’s race, where an early red flag allowed every car to swap tyres for free and finish the race with only one stop, leading to limited action on the tight Monte Carlo circuit. More details about last year’s two-stop strategy highlight why this change was needed.

The new rule aims to prevent a repeat of that boring scenario. Since Monaco’s narrow track makes overtaking extremely difficult, pitstops are usually the main way drivers can improve their positions. For more on Monaco’s unique challenges, check out the FIA’s official circuit guide.

If another early red flag occurs, teams can still change tyres during the break, which counts toward the tyre requirement. In that case, only one additional normal pitstop is needed because the red flag tyre change counts as one of the three required compounds.

The FIA has clarified that teams cannot complete a tyre stop before the official start of the race to try and game the system.

Some fans wonder why drivers do not have to use all three types of tyre compounds—soft, medium, and hard—instead of just three sets. Pirelli, the tyre supplier, explained that tyre wear in Monaco is very low, so it would not make much difference. For deeper insights into tyre strategies, Pirelli’s official F1 tyre guide provides valuable context.

During practice, some teams have already put laps on the hard tyres, showing nobody is saving them for long runs. The two leading teams, McLaren and Ferrari, have only used soft tyres in qualifying, while both McLaren cars still have two new sets of hard tyres available for the race.

Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc have one unused set each. Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, has a fresh set of medium tyres for Sunday’s race after a short qualifying run. Details on Leclerc and Ferrari’s Monaco strategy give insights into their approach.

This new pitstop rule opens up several strategic possibilities for both the front-runners and teams starting further back. Some might gamble by making their required pitstops early, hoping to gain spots if a safety car appears soon after.

However, Pirelli’s experts believe this strategy is too risky, given how common safety cars and red flags are at Monaco. If a team pits both times early and then a safety car comes out, those cars lose time and any chance to benefit from a free stop.

On the other hand, if a long safety car period occurs, many drivers may try to complete their required stops back-to-back.

At the front, strategy will depend heavily on the early laps. If the leader, such as Lando Norris, controls the pace and stays on soft tyres, the field could remain bunched up, making overtaking or pitstop gains very difficult.

Last year, drivers slowed by up to five seconds per lap, trying to preserve tyre life and position. McLaren’s Norris and Max Verstappen both have the power to influence the flow of the race with their tactics.

Team bosses and drivers expect a hectic day trying to adjust strategies as the race unfolds. Aston Martin’s CEO, Any Cowell, believes the rule will make the event more entertaining because every team will interpret it differently.

Max Verstappen calls the upcoming race a “[lottery](https://fervogear.com/2025/05/22/news/f1/monaco-gp-racing-lottery/)” because no one can predict exactly how it will play out. Both seasoned strategists and rookies will need to respond quickly to events on the track—no two Monaco races are ever the same. For historical context on Monaco’s unpredictability, the Formula 1 official archive offers a wealth of past race data.

This new rule may finally inject the excitement fans have been waiting for. Everyone is watching to see if the change will really shake up the Monaco Grand Prix.

Whether the new regulation leads to more action or not, teams must prepare for every possible situation. A smart decision at the right moment could deliver a strong result on one of Formula 1’s most legendary circuits.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.