Horner divulges new information regarding Monaco pitstop rule changes

Formula 1's governing body released a statement on Tuesday February 18th regarding a number of regulation tweaks that will come into effect over the course of the 2025 season. One of these changes involved the possible implementation of Monaco-specific rules.

Considering the tight and twisty nature of Monaco's street circuit, as well as the ever increasing size of F1 cars in the modern era, a lack of overtakes has become a significant problem from a fan enjoyment perspective that needs urgent change.

In the statement, the FIA said that more pitstops could help remedy the low engagement factor of recent Monaco Grands Prix: "Furthermore, with the aim of promoting better racing at the Monaco Grand Prix, the commission discussed proposals for Monaco-specific regulations. The commission agreed to increase the numbers of mandatory pit stops in the Race."

Horner reveals more

Prior to the F1 75 Live event where all ten liveries of the 2025 season were revealed, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner attended a meeting with the FIA to discuss the upcoming rule changes, including those regarding Monaco.

Speaking to media including GPblog, Horner said: "Well, I've just come from that meeting, and basically the discussion was obviously Monaco, you can't change the layout of the circuit, and of course, as we've seen previously, particularly with these cars as big as they are now, the race is very much dictated by the Saturday."

"And what we saw last year was, if you get a red flag early on, and everybody just puts another tyre on, then it's very static," Horner added.

He continued by stating that the potential use of all three compounds during the race and a mandatory two pitstops was discussed: "So stating that you have to use potentially all three compounds brings in another element, so it becomes a two-stop race, and should it rain as well, there would also be a mandatory two-stop. So it's unique to that race, and it's really due to the nature of the circuit."

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