‘It will spice things up’ – F1 drivers intrigued by ‘opportunities and unknowns’ of new two-stop rule for Monaco Grand Prix

Formula 1 drivers have given their views on the mandatory two-stop rule that will be introduced for this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, with reigning World Champion Max Verstappen tipping it to “spice things up”.

In a bid to inject some more excitement around Monte Carlo’s tight, twisty streets, the Sporting Regulations have been modified to force each driver to use at least three different sets of tyres (either dry or wet) during the 78-lap race.

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If the encounter takes place in the dry and drivers do not use the intermediate or wet tyres, they must still run at least two different slick tyre compounds across their various stints.

Asked for his thoughts on the change in Thursday’s driver press conference, Red Bull driver Verstappen said: “I guess it can go both ways, where it can be quite straightforward or it can go completely crazy because of Safety Cars coming into play or not, making the right calls.

“I think it will spice it up probably a bit more. Normally, when you have that one-stop, once you have a good pit stop and everything is fine then you drive to the end, and you just have to stay focused and not hit the barrier.

“Maybe with the two-stop it can create something different, people gambling, guessing when the right time is to box, and hopefully it will spice it up a bit more.”

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Verstappen’s former team mate, Pierre Gasly, shared similar comments when he spoke to the media, with the Alpine racer seeing some more potential to spring a midfield surprise.

“I see opportunities, I see some unknowns, which we should embrace rather than being afraid of [it],” the Frenchman commented.

“At the end of the day, I’m not too sure everybody knows what this is going to do – it might actually not change much. I think what remains extremely important is Qualifying, so you know if you get it right in quali at least you do a big part of the job.

“I’m sure it’s going to open up some potential strategy, which we’ll have to be on top of.”

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Fernando Alonso, who is also in the tight mid-pack group with Aston Martin, added: “In a way I think it’s good, because it will give some hope on Saturday night.

“Normally at Monaco after Saturday more or less the positions are locked, but I think thanks to this two-stops, I think it’s going to be some hope and possibilities for Sunday.

“I think it’s a good thing, obviously it’s a test, but we’ll see on Sunday night – I’m looking forward [to it].”

Haas rookie Ollie Bearman, meanwhile, thinks teams will be even busier than usual between Qualifying and the Grand Prix as they ponder how best to use the additional stop – depending on their grid spots.

“I think it will affect things a lot, for sure, and I think it’s going to make things incredibly interesting,” he told reporters in the Principality.

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“I think the main thing is that prior to Qualifying we’re not going to be really sure what to do, because the ideal strategy is quite dependent on where you start.

“So, we have to really hope to qualify well first off, and then Saturday night will be a very busy one trying to understand what we aim for in terms of Sunday.”