Carlos Sainz has said that this year’s Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix will have an increased “element of lottery” due to the mandatory two-pitstop rule.
The 82nd instalment of the famed event sees the introduction of a unique ruling from the FIA, in that all teams must stop for tyres at least twice, in a bid to increase the entertainment value.
Despite its heritage and prestige, the Monaco Grand Prix has been further maligned in recent years due to the increased lack of overtaking.
Although the two-stop rule does not guarantee anything, it leaves the front-running drivers with more to lose and increases the likelihood of those in the more unenviable track positions to pit early in what might be seen as a calculated risk.
If a red flag, or a Virtual and/or full Safety Car is deployed – not uncommon on these streets, then chaos could ensue, vindicating the rule’s implementation entirely.
The ruling has gotten a number of the drivers talking, with Oscar Piastri commenting that whilst pole position is still the most desired place on the Monaco grid, there is an increased sense of having “the most to lose.”
And speaking to media, including Motorsport Week, Sainz has reached a similar conclusion that the permutations could lead to an unlikely result, and that the pole-sitter has so much to lose.
“There’s an element of lottery that Monaco can always offer,” he said. “I think this year that element is going to be a bit bigger given the two-stop rather than the one-stop.”
“I think everyone that is not starting on pole is welcoming the two-stop. Only the guy who will be on pole will be cursing a bit the fact that the year that he starts on pole is the year that is a mandatory two-stop, and a lot of unknowns could happen.
“I’m just a bit worried of teams playing a bit too much with the pace to help the other team-mates. I hope there’s not too many gimmicks with that.”
Will this be the saviour of the Monaco GP?
Whilst Monaco’s place on the calendar is assured, there has been, for some time, a higher level of debate around its relevance, due to the increased rate of processional so-called racing.
This, of course, is largely down to the fact that cars have become bigger, and given that driving the circuit was always like threading through the eye of a needle, the entertainment factor has reduced even more.
Lewis Hamilton intimated positivity on the idea, telling media, including Motorsport Week: “If you keep doing the same thing over and over and over, you’re going to get the same result.
” I think it’s cool that they’re trying something different. Whether or not it’s the answer, we’ll find out this weekend. It’s definitely going to be different to what we’ve had in the last year.
“Whether that’s better or not, I have no idea, I can’t predict. But I like that we have something different.”
Esteban Ocon was similarly intrigued by the plan, and sees plenty of chances for exploitation on the leading cars, having more than one chance to get a junp on cars in-front.
“It changes quite a lot the format of how we thought about things for so long,” he told media, including Motorsport Week.
“Which is a good thing, because it creates uncertainty, it creates different scenarios. And that’s going to be interesting. It’s usually complicated enough around Monaco to get everything right.
“But you don’t think too much about that strategy until Sunday with what you are given. But it’s going to be different this year.
“I think there’s going to be quite a lot of people trying different things. There’s a bit of a feeling on Saturday afternoon, normally for 12th or 15th you’re kind of stuck with it. But now your guys can sit down and think ‘right, how can we get into the top six or even better?’ This happens, that happens, first pitstop, there’s more opportunity.
“The guys in the front, they try and extend, they try and clear the window from the back and then box into it.
“And there is a big management queue. And then the last five laps before people pit, they just push to create the gap. Now there is two times this opportunity.”|
There is no doubt that the FIA will be waiting with bated breath to see whether the plan of enforcing a second stop will actually work in reality.
But come around five o’clock on Sunday afternoon, the sport’s governing body will know for sure if the gambles taken on the track, will have seen its own gamble pay off.
READ MORE – Lando Norris believes two-stop rule could spring ‘surprise winner’ at Monaco
