Max Verstappen 'hopeless' during 'laughing stock' Monaco GP - International Media reacts

The first - and potentially last - two-stop-mandated Monaco Grand Prix saw that very issue dominate headlines, and very little was positive.

However, plenty of attention was also paid to Lando Norris' weekend of redemption, fighting back to just three points behind Oscar Piastri, who suffered through a difficult trip to Monte Carlo.

Max Verstappen struggled again at the principality, as he did 12 month ago, but Isack Hadjar was able to again showcase his potential - the Racing Bulls driver further staking his claim to rookie of the year, and at the least revelation of the season.

Here is how media from around the world reacted to the eighth round of the F1 season, the Monaco Grand Prix.

🇬🇧 The Times - Lando Norris delivers champion’s drive at last at Monaco Grand Prix

British broadsheet The Times focused on the McLaren driver's superb weekend in Monte Carlo, likening it to that of an F1 world champion.

Leaning on the words of his team principal, Andrea Stella, the blacktop newspaper highlighted how Norris emerged from team-mate Piastri's shadow, who has enjoyed the intra-squad upper hand for much of the current campaign.

It is an undeniably important victory for the 25-year-old, who has now closed to within three points of the Australian at the top of the drivers' standings.

Looking at Piastri, the article underlines his contrasting fortunes, saying he had "not felt entirely comfortable here all weekend, crashing in practice, and that led to a slight lack of confidence in qualifying that ultimately proved costly."

🇳🇱 De Telegraaf - Max Verstappen, striving for perfection, again completely hopeless in Monaco: 'We were slower than last year'

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf addressed home son Verstappen, who started and finished fourth, despite leading much of the race - such was the quirks of the two-stop regulations.

In particular, it looked at how the Red Bull driver felt the RB21 was no better than the troublesome RB20 around the streets of Monte Carlo.

The four-time F1 drivers' champion pointed out how he was slower in qualifying this year than he was 12 months ago, when the Milton Keynes-based squad struggled massively.

Verstappen's cynicism over the novel two-stop approach was also evident throughout, using the sarcastic appraisal the 27-year-old provided after the grand prix. 

🇦🇺 Herald Sun - 'Screw it': Monaco Grand Prix leaves Formula 1 a laughing stock

Australian tabloid the Herald Sun choose to cover the unforeseen consequences of F1's new Monaco-only pit stop mandate. Branding it a "laughing stock", it did not hold back.

"Formula 1’s Monaco Grand Prix problem is beginning to look terminal," the article began, before continuing: "That’s the widely-held view that’s emerged after the annual procession around the streets of the French principality on Sunday night."

There was keen attention to the post-race comments from a host of team principals and drivers, as well as a focus on Alex Albon's apology direct to camera when speaking to Sky Sports F1.

🇮🇹 La Gazzetta dello Sport - Double pit stop in Monaco: between failures and arguments, there is hope for 2026

Italian publication La Gazetta dello Sport also zeroed in on the enforced two-stopper in Monaco, but found a way to provide a positive spin.

Whilst contending the experiment did fail, the article argues it was a more dynamic race than red flag-effected running in 2024, where an early stoppage allowed the entire field change tyres for the one and only required time - and believes things could be even better a year from now.

"The hope is that with next season's cars – also modified in size by the new regulations – things can finally change," it reads.

🇫🇷 L'Equipe - "It's one thing to go fast, it's another to confirm": in Monaco, Isack Hadjar justified the promises placed in him with maturity

French sports outlet L'Equipe championed native son Hadjar, who enjoyed the best weekend of his young F1 career in Monaco.

Having qualified sixth, he started fifth after Lewis Hamilton's grid penalty. However, with Fernando Alonso's retirement from the race, he was able to hold on for finishing position he should have occupied at the start, despite the Ferrari undercutting him through the stops.

The 20-year-old heavily benefitted from Liam Lawson's selfless team play. The New Zealander backed up the rest of the pack from eighth to afford Hadjar time to complete both his mandatory pit stops.

🇺🇸 The Washington Post - Frustration and slow driving at Monaco GP as F1 rule change backfires

American newspaper The Washington Post also focused on the ill-fated two-stop obligation, suggesting it backfired on F1.

It wrote that "Formula 1's attempt to shake up the prestigious race fizzled", after it was met with widespread criticism from drivers, pundits and fans alike.