Breaking:F1 Drivers Face Double Penalty Threat After Monaco Grand Prix Ru…read more
F1 Drivers Face Double Penalty Threat After Monaco Grand Prix Ru…read more
Formula 1 drivers could be in for a tougher challenge at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix following new rule changes announced by the FIA. The governing body of motorsport has introduced a mandatory two-stop race rule, shaking up the strategy for what is typically the most processional race on the calendar. In addition to that, a pit lane speed limit reduction has increased the likelihood of penalties being handed out during Sunday’s race.
The Monaco Grand Prix, now in its 82nd edition, is renowned for its glamour and history but has faced criticism in recent years for becoming overly predictable. Due to the tight layout and the ever-increasing size of modern F1 cars, overtaking on track has become virtually impossible. As a result, qualifying often determines the race outcome, making Sunday’s spectacle underwhelming for fans.
To counter this and reintroduce unpredictability, the FIA has mandated that all drivers must complete a minimum of two pit stops during the race. This marks a significant shift from recent races in Monaco, where teams typically tried to minimize pit stops due to the difficulty of overtaking. The new rule forces teams to rethink strategies and could lead to more exciting race dynamics.
However, the change also doubles the opportunity for drivers to commit infractions—particularly pit lane speeding. To compound the challenge, the FIA has also confirmed that the pit lane speed limit at Monaco will be reduced from the standard 80 km/h to just 60 km/h for safety reasons. Monaco, with its notoriously narrow pit lane, has always posed unique challenges, and this lower speed limit has been implemented to prevent accidents in the confined space.
The FIA released a statement confirming the change: “The pit lane speed limit detailed in Article 34.7 of the sporting regulations is hereby amended to 60km/h for the duration of the event.” A similar speed reduction was enforced at Albert Park earlier in the season due to comparable safety concerns.
Last year, even slight speed violations were punished. Lance Stroll exceeded the pit lane limit by just 0.2 km/h and was fined €100, while Valtteri Bottas, who is no longer in F1, overshot the limit by 14.6 km/h, earning a €1,000 fine for his team. With two mandatory stops this year, drivers run double the risk of falling foul of the speed restriction.
While every F1 car is equipped with a pit limiter, an electronic tool that caps the car’s speed during pit entry, it must be manually activated by the driver. This requirement has already resulted in multiple speeding penalties across the season. As such, drivers must be vigilant and avoid letting muscle memory from circuits with an 80 km/h limit affect their judgment in Monaco.
All in all, the revised rules are designed to spice up the Monaco GP, but they also present increased risks and challenges that could shape the outcome of the race dramatically.
