George Russell has raised concerns that the new two-stop rule for the 2025 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix could impact Mercedes’ chances this weekend.
The Silver Arrows have been in fine form this season, but the previous race weekend at Imola highlighted a key weakness with the team’s W16 this season.
In qualifying, the Mercedes of Russell is yet to qualify fifth or lower, and almost always is in the fight for pole position.
Yet after securing a second-row start in Imola, the British driver went backwards on Sunday before eventually crossing the line in seventh place.
More often than not, Mercedes struggles with race pace rather than qualifying speed, having to benefit from mitigating factors to improve on its starting grid slot.
Russell lacked the pace in Miami, yet a timely Safety Car helped secure an unlikely podium finish, but that luck did not transfer to the next race weekend.
Heading to Monaco, a track where qualifying is more important than the race itself, it would seem the Mercedes car would excel around the streets of Monte Carlo.
Yet despite its qualifying strengths, Russell remains cautious about the challenge of adapting to a mandatory two-stop race in Monaco.
“Yeah, I mean, we are excited for this weekend, because we know quali has been a strength,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“We’ve been within a tenth of a pole on so many occasions, yet to fully convert it.
“So with this two-stop strategy, it’s going to be really interesting to see how it pans out, because in the past it was solely about qualifying, and you could manage the gaps to the car behind you, you could back everybody up, and just get your tyres to the end race.
“I don’t think that’s going to be the case this weekend, so race pace isn’t meaningless, and we know that hasn’t been a strength [for us].”
Russell on Monaco strategy, navigating new rules and tyre tactics
Russell qualified fifth in Monaco 12 months ago, finishing the race in the same position, as did the rest of the top 10 amid a red flag stoppage on the opening lap.
He’ is eager to see how the new rule will influence race strategy, especially given Mercedes’ stronger qualifying pace compared to its race performance this season.
On the subject of whether the one-stop or two-stop would suit him better, Russell was asked if it depended on his grid position come Saturday.
“Yeah definitely, can only answer that when you have your grid position,” he responded.
“But, we are faster in qualifying than the race, so arguably, we would say we would have wanted it as it was in the past.
“You need to do what’s best for the sport and I think a two-stop race is good.
“Even if they didn’t bring the C4 tyre, I think it would have definitely been a two-stop anyway, even without the mandate of two stops.
Speaking on how the two-stop rule could impact race strategy and pit windows, Russell outlined the complexities involved, particularly around tyre selection and the potential for early race interruptions.
“Well, I think the start tyre is going to be an interesting one,” he explained.
“If you start on the Hard, that’s clearly the best tyre, and there’s a red flag at the beginning of the race, when you then throw on the Soft tyre, if somebody starts on the Soft, and there is a red flag or a Safety Car in the first five laps, they have a massive advantage.
“So it isn’t a clear cut, and because there is such an advantage, if there is a timely Safety Car for certain people, you will have to put your foot on the gas at some point.
“Whereas in the past, like last year, you just saw Charles [Leclerc] managing the gap to me, so that Lando [Norris] & co didn’t pit, which was not the most exciting race we’ve ever seen.
“So, yeah, I’m excited to see how that pans out.”
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