The Problem:
Overtaking at the current Monaco Grand Prix circuit is nearly impossible without 2 car touching each other. The driver in front can position his car in the middle of the track or towards the inside of the next turn, this way blocking the driver behind.
Example 2025 race:
Drivers would drive extremely slow, holding up other drivers, so his teammate could make a free pitstop. Also in the 2024 race the lap times where rather slow since overtaking was not possible.
The solution:
Make overtaking possible at the chicane between turn 10 and 11. Implement a smaller Tracksplit chicane with 2 ways to go around.
Changing lanes just before the braking zone or driving in the middle of the track is not allowed. Blocking another driver is not possible and there are 2 ideal lines at the chicane with a Tracksplit.
Comparison:
A Tracksplit race moment where 2 drivers are fighting for a position is not more dangerous or abnormal, as drivers driving on a normal circuit going into the pitlane or coming out of the pit. There is a white line which may not be crossed and at the moment when 2 drivers come close to each other, one driving on the circuit and the other coming out of the pit exit, is equal to the situation behind the Tracksplit. Maybe they are sideways going into the following corner. Both situation are identical and known to the drivers.
Tracksplit rules
White lines:
Equal to pit entry and pit exit there must be a white line before the Tracksplit and behind the Tracksplit. Crossing the line is prohibited. The green surface in the middle of the Tracksplit circle may not be touched by a tire of the race car. Sudden lane chances before the white lines are prohibited. A driver must clearly position his car at the left or right side of the track before the white line zone.
Control:
The FIA race control must positions cameras around the Tracksplit so the white lines and circle can be viewed live at all times by the teams and race control. An AI algorithm could be adopted to make violations immediately visible on the screens.
Penalty:
A driver who touches a white line before the Tracksplit or behind the Tracksplit, must immediately give up his position to the competitor behind him at the start finish straight. The team is responsible for informing the driver and execution of the penalty.
Not following this rule means the driver will get a drive thru penalty from the race director.
A driver who touches the green surface in the Tracksplit circle, must immediately give up his position to the competitor behind him at the start finish straight. The team is responsible for informing the driver and execution of the penalty.
Not following this rule means the driver will get the order to give up 2 places or drive thru penalty from the race director.
A driver who touches the green surface in the Tracksplit circle with 2 or more tires, must immediately give up his position to the next 2 competitors behind him at the start finish straight. The team is responsible for informing the driver and execution of the penalty.
Not following this rule means the driver will get the order to give up 4 places or drive thru penalty from the race director.
FIA - Nikolas Tombazis - August 2025
is considering changes to the Monaco Grand Prix rules, specifically addressing the mandatory two-pit stop rule, due to its unintended consequences in the 2025 race. While the rule remains for 2026, discussions are ongoing with the Sporting Advisory Committee and the F1 Commission. The aim is to prevent teams from exploiting the rule to gain an advantage through strategic slowing down, as seen with some teams creating gaps for free pit stops.
The Problem:
The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix saw teams deliberately slowing down to create gaps for their teammates to make pit stops without losing positions. This was a consequence of the FIA's rule mandating two pit stops for the race.
FIA's Response:
The FIA acknowledges the issue and is looking for solutions to prevent this from happening again. Tombazis stated, "we don't think that what we saw this year is necessarily the thing to repeat or the thing to aim for".
Possible Changes:
While the two-stop rule remains for 2026 for now, the FIA is open to suggestions from teams on how to improve the race and prevent rule manipulation.
Ongoing Discussions:
The FIA will discuss potential changes with the Sporting Advisory Committee and the F1 Commission.
Team Input:
The FIA is actively inviting teams to propose solutions to enhance the race, highlighting a desire for collaborative problem-solving.
