The FIA World Motor Sport Council has accepted the recommendation of the Formula One Commission and approved special rules for the Monaco Grand Prix
The Formula One Commission’s proposal has been accepted and the Monaco Grand Prix is getting a new twist: from this year, only two tire changes per driver are mandatory in the Principality. This was confirmed by the World Motor Sport Council of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) at its most recent meeting.
The press release accompanying the decision states: “The main aim of the measure is to increase the sporting spectacle of the race.”
Therefore, in the future, each driver in the Monaco Grand Prix must use “at least three sets of tires,” regardless of the weather conditions, both on a dry and wet track. In addition, the usual requirement that “at least two different compounds” must be used continues to apply in dry conditions.
The Monaco ruling has no influence on the other races on the Formula One calendar: for all the other Grand Prix, there will continue to be at least one mandatory pit stop per driver and at least two tire compounds that must be used.
Why Formula 1 is reacting now
A single pit stop has been the norm in many Monaco Grands Prix, which is why the races were often perceived as “processions” and criticized for a lack of action. Since other measures, such as a change to the traditional track layout, were out of the question, Formula 1 has now decided to at least create more strategic opportunities by adding pit stops.
Interesting fact: Monaco will thus have a new unique selling point in Formula 1, after losing several special features under Liberty Media – for example, the training opener on Thursday. The traditional May date of the Monaco Grand Prix will soon be dropped because the Grand Prix is slipping into June, and Monaco has also already lost control over sponsors and TV broadcasts. In 2025, the race will have a title sponsor for the first time ever.
In return, Monaco is still on the Formula 1 calendar for a few more years according to the latest contract extension. After the Grands Prix in Great Britain and Italy, Monaco is the race that has been held third most often in the context of the World Championship since 1950.
