Extreme strategy
The 2025 Monaco GP will be remembered above all for the mandatory two-stop rule imposed by F1 and the FIA in an attempt — ultimately unsuccessful — to make the race in the Principality more exciting and spectacular. In reality, the only effect of this new rule was the creation of extremely slow “trains” around the track, as teams organized themselves perfectly to provide clean air and space behind one driver so he could pit without the risk of losing positions, using the other as a stopper.
No team played this game better than Racing Bulls and Williams, who managed to place all four of their drivers in the top ten. The Faenza team kicked off the chain of slowdowns, while Williams reacted during the race but still successfully capitalized on the plan. By analyzing the radio communications, we can reconstruct how the strategy of both teams unfolded.
Faenza makes the first move
Racing Bulls had settled on this strategy even before the race started: this became crystal clear when, on lap six, Lawson was told to “get to work.” “Let’s start the plan, let’s manage the tyres,” came the message from the pit wall. The New Zealander noted that the cars ahead of him weren’t pushing either, but the team’s strategists urged him to take it even further: “Let’s try to make these tyres last even longer, as we discussed.”
Lawson executed the job well, allowing Isack Hadjar to make his first stop on lap 14 without any difficulty, maintaining his position ahead of the entire pack slowed by car #30. At that point, the plan could continue: Lawson asked the pit wall whether he should “continue the strategy” and was given the green light. The former Racing Bulls driver kept up his snail’s pace to ensure his teammate could make another pit stop for free, while the Williams drivers behind him began to realize they needed to adapt to the situation.
Williams responds and ‘perfects’ the plan
On lap 17, Alex Albon opened up communication with his pit wall: “What do you suggest? I could slow down, give him the space he wants? I’ll catch up later, I’ll create my own gap, and Carlos can slow down. Let’s do the same thing.” The idea was to replicate Racing Bulls’ plan in Williams fashion, and the pit wall approved, given that both Grove cars were also running one behind the other.
On lap 25, Carlos Sainz was instructed to hold a pace of 1:19.0, slowing down the entire pack behind him — much to the frustration of the Mercedes team, who realized that all remaining hopes of a comeback and scoring points were vanishing.
The cherry on top for the team led by James Vowles came with the Alex Albon-Carlos Sainz teamwork, as the two agreed to swap positions so the Spaniard could also extend his stint and secure a calm pit stop, then later return the position to his teammate. “If we work as a team, we’ll take ninth and tenth place,” Albon was told on lap 42. And indeed, those were the final positions of the two British cars.
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