Mercedes threaten 'crazy' Monaco strategy after 'abysmal' F1 qualifying

Mercedes is not ruling out rolling the dice at Monaco with "crazy" pit stop strategies for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

It was an "abysmal" qualifying session - in the words of Toto Wolff to Sky Sports F1 - for the eight-time constructors' champions, with reliability issues striking down the British driver in Q2 after his team-mate had crashed his W16 in Q1. They will start P14 and P15, respectively.

F1's annual trip to the principality will see an FIA-mandated two-stop race for the first time, in a bid to liven up the famed grand prix.

In recent years, the jewel in the F1 crown has often been reduced to an uneventful procession on Sunday with little change from the qualifying order established on Saturday.

The added variable, and jeopardy, inflicted upon teams has left much of the paddock pondering whether anyone will attempt a left-field pit stop strategy - and if anyone will be able to make one work.

Whilst some are concerned for the chaos that might ensue, it is a step into the unknown and a silver lining for the silver arrows.

When asked about the prospect of trying something outlandish, Wolff refused to shut down the possibility. The Austrian suggested the team could employ either a "very long or very short" approach.

"We just discussed it," the 53-year-old told Viaplay after the grid-setting session.

"Where we start, we can really try to optimise the new regulations and maybe do things that are a bit nuts that you would otherwise not play - and try to play it very long or very short."

Antonelli echoed those thoughts, teasing the potential for Mercedes to try something "crazy" around the streets of Monte Carlo.

"Obviously we need to think a lot differently, because we did not expect to start this far back with both cars," the Italian driver told Sky Sports F1.

"So definitely, we're gonna try something maybe crazy, I don't know. I need to speak with the team in order to try and make up as many places as possible."