F1 | FIA reverses course: official regulation change ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix
The FIA has officially amended the regulations for the Monaco Grand Prix, confirming a significant change regarding the previously introduced mandatory two-stop rule. The Federation has implemented several updates in recent hours, with the main focus centered on decisions concerning combustion chamber measurement procedures. However, that was not the only area addressed. The FIA has also revised the rule that required two mandatory pit stops during the Monaco Grand Prix.
During the 2025 Formula 1 season, it became clear that the double pit-stop solution did not deliver the intended spectacle at the iconic street circuit in Monte Carlo. In fact, the race appeared even more processional than usual, despite the regulatory intervention designed to spice up the strategy element. Teams took advantage of the situation by deliberately slowing down rival cars with one driver in order to benefit the strategic position of their teammate, effectively neutralizing the expected impact of the rule change.
FIA confirms official decision on the two-stop rule
A close examination of the updated FIA sporting regulations highlights the changes introduced ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. Previously, the rules specified that, under dry conditions, each driver was required to use at least two different tyre compounds during a race, with the Monaco Grand Prix listed as a specific exception. For the prestigious race in the Principality, the regulation mandated the use of three different tyre compounds, effectively forcing teams to adopt a two-stop strategy.
In the revised version of the rulebook, the section identifying Monaco as an “exception” to the standard single-stop framework has been removed. Furthermore, the entire paragraph detailing the compulsory use of three tyre compounds during the race weekend in Monte Carlo has been completely deleted.
The FIA has therefore decided to reverse a regulatory experiment that, based on the 2025 outcome, did not produce the anticipated results. With the introduction of the new technical cycle in Formula 1, overtaking opportunities could naturally improve even on a tight and demanding circuit such as Monaco. Drivers may be able to exploit a greater energy deployment delta compared to those defending, potentially increasing on-track action without the need for artificial strategic constraints.
The FIA’s decision to abandon the mandatory two-stop experiment in Monaco is a clear admission that artificial strategic hurdles cannot always fix the fundamental challenges of street circuit racing. By reverting to the standard tire regulations, the governing body is placing its bets on the 2026 technical regulations and the updated energy recovery systems to create organic overtaking opportunities. While the three-compound rule was a noble attempt to inject excitement into the “Jewel in the Crown,” the reality of 2025 proved that teams will always find ways to neutralize forced strategies, often at the expense of the show.
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