Major concern exposed after Monaco GP rule change

A concern surrounding a major rule change for the Monaco Grand Prix has been highlighted by an F1 strategy expert.

For the Monaco Grand Prix this year, a new regulation is set to change how the race plays out following many complaints in recent years.

The narrow nature of the circuit makes it incredibly difficult to complete a clean overtake.

While it has been historically challenging to make a move on a rival driver around the Monte Carlo track, the F1 cars are currently wider and longer than ever before, with the sport opting to make a change ahead of this year's event.

Now, drivers will be forced to make a minimum of two pit stops instead of the sole required visit to the pit lane that is mandated at other events.

Speaking during pre-season testing, former F1 strategy engineer Bernie Collins highlighted it could heavily benefit a driver running at the back of the field.

“Often, a two-stop strategy is actually the quickest way to do Monaco,” Collins said.

“Often a two-stop, if you're doing it [the race] on your own, is the quickest way.

“But because of traffic, it's not. My initial thought upon reading it was, if I was last in the Monaco Grand Prix, I would stop on lap one and stop on lap two and have no more pit stops to do.

“I’d be able to close up to the back of the pack and hopefully be ahead of others when they do their two stops later on.”

Collins questions minimum tyre stint solution

Collins highlighted this possibility could be ruled out by imposing a minimum stint length akin to what was seen at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix when Pirelli discovered issues with its tyres and their reaction to the kerbs.

However, Collins added a minimum stint would restrict the different strategies that could unfold during the race and go against the ultimate goal of the new two-stop rule.

“Unless there's a minimum stint like did in Qatar two years ago, which also didn't work because it really restricted strategy, then what stops someone under a lap safety car who is running a bit out of position, doing their two stops then?” she pondered.

“[They would be] complying with the regulations and effectively have no stops going forward.

“Maybe there's something in the proper regulation that prevents that very specific case.

“But we're trying to solve a very specific issue we had last year. That's not always the issue we have in Monaco.”