FIA Confirms Disqualification Ra… read more
The FIA has officially confirmed strict penalties for Formula 1 drivers who fail to comply with newly introduced tyre regulations for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix. As part of an effort to increase excitement and strategic variability during the race at the iconic Circuit de Monaco, the World Motor Sport Council has updated the Sporting Regulations to include a mandatory two pit-stop rule for all 20 drivers.
This change comes as a direct response to growing criticism that the Monaco GP lacks overtaking opportunities and has become one of the less thrilling events on the F1 calendar due to its narrow streets and wide cars. The new rule requires each driver to complete at least two pit stops during the race, using a minimum of two different types of dry-weather tyres.
Failure to comply with this rule will result in a disqualification, as outlined in Article 30.5 m) of the Sporting Regulations. However, in the case that the race is suspended and cannot be restarted, the FIA has specified alternative penalties. If a driver does not meet the tyre requirements under those circumstances, a 30-second time penalty will be added to their final race time.
The regulation further states that any driver who uses only one tyre specification throughout the race, or fails to use at least three sets of any tyre compound, will receive an additional 30-second time penalty. These new stipulations aim to prevent teams from running overly conservative strategies that rely on minimal pit stops, which often result in processional races lacking drama or tactical variation.
The decision to introduce this regulation stems from the FIA and Formula 1’s desire to keep Monaco relevant and engaging, despite the track’s limitations. Although admired for its history and glamour, the race has often failed to deliver on-track action, leading to discussions about its future place on the calendar.
The early sessions of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix weekend have already shown signs of the circuit’s usual challenges. Several drivers voiced frustration over heavy traffic, with incidents of impeding occurring frequently. Notably, Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc collided with Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin during practice, further highlighting the difficulty of navigating the tight circuit.
Despite its challenges, the Monaco Grand Prix is not going anywhere soon. A new six-year agreement means the race will remain part of the F1 schedule until at least 2031. The implementation of the mandatory two-stop rule is seen as a crucial move to enhance the racing spectacle, and its success could play a pivotal role in securing Monaco’s place on the calendar in the long term.
