This 82nd edition of the Monaco Grand Prix did not see the major shake-up in the standings that was anticipated, but it had the merit of keeping the spectators alert.
Gone is the Sunday parade through the streets of the Principality. This year, the F1 decision-makers decided to oblige the teams to make two pit stops to change tires. Similar to the Formula E and its mandatory recharge stop, the premier category of motorsport seeks to bring entertainment to often dull races. While the standings for the frontrunners did not move an inch, it allowed the spectators to hope. Hope to see Charles Leclerc win his Monaco Grand Prix for the second consecutive time. Second in qualifying, Ferrari’s strategy did not give him the chance to overtake winner Lando Norris.
Yet there were opportunities. The first when Gabriel Bortoletto ended up in the wall at the portier turn. The Brazilian triggered a virtual safety car that led some drivers at the back of the race to dive into the pit lane. A fruitful strategy for these drivers. Some played the team strategy very well when it was possible, like Racing Bulls. With two drivers one behind the other, the second had the tough task of slowing down the cars behind to allow the one in front a free stop. All this seems complex and it is.
Nevertheless, from the beginning to the end, we hoped to see an innovative strategy that no one had anticipated. Something new that brings a bit of suspense and has the potential to destabilize the teams always in complete control of what they are doing. It’s the first time in many years that no one knew how this race was going to unfold.
Now everyone has learned, and we will eagerly await the 2026 edition to see what it could bring with an initial feedback. With new, narrower single-seaters (and why not tires with higher degradation?), the show will be guaranteed.
