With Max Verstappen starting from fourth place, Formula 1 enters the great unknown in Monaco on Sunday. The mandatory two-stopper offers numerous possibilities: for chaos, but also for another procession in the narrow streets.
The new rule boils down to this: each driver must use at least three sets of tires of at least two different ‘compounds’ during the race. Normally, this means that everyone has to stop twice, unless there is a red flag – like last year. Then the tires can be changed while the race is stopped.
In the run-up to the race, it was already clear that nobody knows exactly how this will turn out. What is clear is that the driver in front cannot hold up the entire field like Charles Leclerc did last year.
Overtaking remains just as difficult in Monaco, but the mandatory two stops make strategic opportunities much more possible. For example, there is a good chance that drivers will dive into the pits immediately after the start to have at least had one stop.
‘Chance of A Surprising Winner is High’
Gambling on safety cars, virtual safety cars and red flags may become even more important. “The chance of a surprising winner is therefore quite high, because luck plays a greater role,” says polesitter Lando Norris.
“Those two stops do make it a bit more interesting. But whether we can benefit from that depends mainly on whether there is a safety car or not,” said Verstappen. “Maybe we’ll get lucky. It’s a long race. For now, it’s still difficult to say what we have to do. You have to be prepared for every possible scenario.”
Leclerc starts second this time and counts on chaos. “A little bit, yes, but we’ll see how it turns out,” said the Monegasque before his home race. “There will be strategic games played. And it is quite possible that we will quickly come under pressure from drivers you don’t expect, which makes it all very interesting.”
Verstappen must use the soft tires anyway
Mario Isola of Pirelli also does not yet know what to expect from the strategy. “But I do know that we are going to see all three types of tires. In fact, the drivers of Red Bull, Racing Bulls and Sauber only have one fresh set of hard and one set of medium left, so they have to use the soft tire once in the race.”
The Italian suspects that some drivers will dive into the pits after just one lap. Isola: “We know how good teams are when it comes to exploiting opportunities they get, especially through such a rule change. So we can expect surprises, especially when it comes to the length of stints.”
That will not be for a set of rain tires. The chance that the weather will play a role is nil. The latest forecasts give no chance of rain during the race.
The Monaco Grand Prix starts at 3:00 PM (Dutch time) and counts 78 laps.