McLaren sounds alarm over Monaco GP factor with 'wide implications'

McLaren boss Andrea Stella believes the mandatory Monaco Grand Prix two-stop strategy has "much wider implications" than originally expected.

For the race in the Principality, F1 drivers will be forced to make at least two pit-stops, which throws up myriad strategies, including the possibility of stopping on Laps 1 and 2 to meet the requirement and then running until the end.

In their pre-race media release, Pirelli did not offer any strategies, simply summing it up as "anything can happen," such is the unknown. 

Analysing the situation after qualifying, where his drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will start from pole and P3, respectively, Stella explained how the implications are much greater than feared when the rule was announced in February. 

"I think the risk is material, and the implications of the compulsory two stops are much wider than we thought initially," Stella explained to media, including RacingNews365. 

"These implications also add the factor that is dependent on you being at the front or the back of the field, and then you can make significantly different choices.

"Then, as a function of red flags, safety cars or teamwork, we may see cars helping each other in the same team, and this may lead to very, very different scenarios.

"So I think the strategy meeting will be longer than usual because the scenarios to consider are definitely many more than what you normally would, not only in Monaco, but for any race."

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McLaren's quandary

Among the leading contenders, McLaren has its cars the closest on the grid with a 1-3 in qualifying, meaning it faces questions the likes of Ferrari or Red Bull do not, but Stella is firm that the team will allow Norris and Piastri's races to play out naturally.

"I agree it is tricky, and not because the McLarens are P1 and P3, but because of these regulations and because of a safety car or a red flag or depending on what is happening at the back," Stella explained.

"That can make the decisions pretty difficult, and it does not depend on the McLarens being 1-3. We will always try to make decisions and let the race unfold in a natural way, so that our drivers have the best opportunity to capitalise on their performance and efforts.

"We don't foresee any deviation from this natural evolution of the race, unless it is for a benefit to both."