FIA announce extraordinary rule change for F1 Monaco GP that could change everything
The FIA have announced an extraordinary rule change for this season's Monaco Grand Prix after a regulation meeting.
The Grand Prix has come under increasing criticism over recent years due to the difficulties in overtaking, which have been exacerbated by the wider modern cars.
Races are now largely decided by qualifying or pit stops, unless inclement weather conditions play a role during the 78 laps of the Circuit de Monte Carlo.
The race has been held on 81 occasions since 1929, meaning Monaco is one of the few circuits remaining on the calendar that pre-dates the beginning of Formula 1 in 1950.
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At a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council earlier this month, a proposal was put forward which recommended that each driver complete a mandatory two-stop strategy during the Grand Prix from this year onwards.
The proposal was then discussed at the F1 Commission, which comprises of team principals and senior officials from the 10 F1 teams.
The FIA have now confirmed that each team must use at least three sets of tyres in the race - thus mandating a two-stop strategy.
In addition, the current rule of using a minimum of two different tyre compounds in the race has been retained.
An official FIA statement reads: "The FIA World Motor Sport Council reviewed a proposal regarding the implementation of a mandatory two-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."
Last year's Monaco Grand Prix was won by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who led every lap from pole position.
Most of the overtaking was completed during a chaotic first lap, which saw a three-car pile-up involving Red Bull's Sergio Perez and the Haas pair of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg.
Alpine team-mates Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly also made contact, while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz picked up a puncture. The race was red-flagged.
After the restart on lap two, however, there was little action to speak of, with Leclerc leading home a procession followed by Oscar Piastri, Sainz and Lando Norris.
Ryan Smart