Christian Horner reacts to two mandatory pit stops in F1 Monaco Grand Prix. Red Bull team principal commented on the major novelty for 2025 in Monaco.

Special rules for the Principality
Two shots to fire if you need to recover, or two traps to avoid if you have to defend your position. In 2025, drivers will be required to make two mandatory pit stops during the Monaco Grand Prix. The F1 Commission made this decision to prevent a repeat of the 2024 Formula 1 edition, which was essentially decided within the first few seconds. The red flag at the start—triggered when Perez destroyed his Red Bull in a crash after contact with Kevin Magnussen’s Haas—allowed drivers to change tires, effectively freezing the starting positions until the checkered flag.

The nature of the circuit and the size of the current cars make overtaking nearly impossible. As a result, F1’s governing body has introduced specific rules for the Monaco GP to try and revitalize the race. In 2018, Daniel Ricciardo managed to stay in the lead despite suffering a serious power unit issue, yet even with reduced horsepower, he was able to hold off the pack until the finish.

Christian Horner commented on the decision, emphasizing that it is a natural consequence of the track’s characteristics, which do not suit increasingly large F1 cars: “Last year, we witnessed a very static race because everyone was able to change tires under the red flag,” Christian Horner told *GPblog*. “The track layout cannot be changed, and the race is practically decided on Saturday. With these rules, at least two pit stops will be required, adding a strategic factor that could create more opportunities for attacking. It’s a choice dictated by the nature of the circuit and the size of the cars.”