F1 Monaco GP’s two mandatory pit stops: Ferrari’s simulation and strategy preparation. Ferrari has prepared extensively for the 2025 Monaco GP’s new rule of two mandatory pit stops.

This year’s Monaco Grand Prix has an added feature that sets it apart from all other Grands Prix as well as from previous editions of itself, since for the first time the FIA has introduced a requirement for at least two pit stops in order to shake up the race, which usually ends up as a long procession of cars crossing the finish line almost in the same order established by qualifying results. This change, however, is one that teams must consider carefully, as it significantly increases the variability of race strategies. Essentially, it broadens the range of strategic options available to the teams.

Ferrari Simulator — As usual, Ferrari’s preparation for this event involved extensive use of their simulator with numerous iterations. Interestingly, during race simulations — not related to qualifying one-lap performance, which is crucial on this circuit — Ferrari also used the remote garage to simulate possible race scenarios with respect to determining the windows for the two mandatory pit stops.

It is indeed important to evaluate various scenarios considering track traffic, which becomes a significant strategic factor given the short length of the circuit. Therefore, Ferrari’s preparation in Maranello involved dual efforts: not only identifying the most effective baseline setup for this track, featuring an aerodynamic configuration with very high downforce created by flap angles not seen elsewhere during the season, but also planning for the strategy.

Monaco Scenarios — The strategic simulation of various race scenarios was based on a precise reproduction of possible choices made by individual teams, with a random distribution of pit stops within the windows defined by the tire degradation of each compound available. This approach should enable Ferrari’s pit wall to implement well-established procedures tailored to each race scenario in terms of traffic and track conditions. In essence, this is a form of real exercise, though it is important to emphasize that it only partially replaces the instinctive decisions made on the spot through real-time data analysis. Modern Formula 1 is exactly this: anticipating every possible scenario to respond swiftly and confidently.