FIA confirms mandatory two-stop strategy for this year's Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix is set to include additional pit stops as the sport is intent on "promoting better racing in the Principality," the FIA has noted after the latest meeting of the F1 Commission in London.
The Monaco Grand Prix has constantly received criticism in the past years due to the lack of overtaking opportunities. Although the issue has not been new, recent technical changes that made the current F1 cars wider, made the problem ever more prominent.
The situation reached a peak point last year when an early red flag allowed drivers to switch tyre compounds before the restart, with only six drivers later visiting the pitlane under race conditions.
The previous races in Monte Carlo saw the leading driver reduce his speed by a whopping two-three seconds in order to look after the tyres and make sure that a single-stop strategy was possible. Wet races that included more pit stops and uncertainty proved much more enjoyable.
Following the recent meeting of the F1 Commission, Formula One's governing body revealed that this year's Monaco Grand Prix might run under a unique set of sporting rules which would see the number of mandatory pit stops increase from the current one to at least two obligatory pit services.
The Paris-based body has now confirmed that the final decision has been made and drivers will be obliged to perform two stops, although final details are yet to be published.
A statement read: “The FIA World Motor Sport Council reviewed a proposal regarding the implementation of a mandatory 2-stop strategy (in both wet and dry conditions) for the Monaco GP, with the primary intent of improving the sporting spectacle of this race given the notable difficulty in overtaking at this circuit.
“Following recent discussions in the F1 Commission, a specific requirement for the Monaco GP has been approved mandating the use of at least three sets of tyres in the race, with a minimum of two different tyre compounds to be used if it’s a dry race.”
