Stefano Domenicali hails Monaco’s two pit stop rule: “Uncertainty and attention were the goals”. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali praised the 2025 Monaco GP's two mandatory pit stops.

Monaco Grand Prix 2025: mission accomplished. At least according to Stefano Domenicali. The president and CEO of Formula 1 applauded the initiative that led to the two mandatory pit stops per driver in the latest edition of the race in the Principality.

On a track that has become increasingly narrow—either due to or because of, depending on one’s preference—the generous size of modern single-seaters, the introduction of the new rule brought suspense, attention, and uncertainty. In other words, everything F1 wanted from the most glamorous and media-centric event on the entire calendar.

That said, the overtakes seen on track were few and could be counted on half a hand. We’re talking about the one made by Gabriel Bortoleto on Andrea Antonelli at the Fairmont hairpin (formerly Loews) and the one given back a few hundred meters later—at Portier—by the Mercedes driver to the Sauber driver. Also worth counting is the final overtake by Lance Stroll on Nico Hulkenberg. In short, not much.

However, Stefano Domenicali emphasized how the two mandatory pit stops represented a perfect way to generate new attention around the event.

“The Monaco event was extraordinary. We never had so many people, so many boats, so much attention. This means that the event itself is what Formula 1 wants, and this is truly fantastic.”

“We know that the width of the city or the road is what it is, and that the cars are quite large, so the attempt is to create attention on this aspect. And it was nice to see that the day before everyone thought of stopping on the first lap, and there was a lot of discussion, so no one really understood anything. I believe it was the right attempt and that the attention was definitely high.”

“And of course, we know that the teams came up with their strategies. The positive thing is that we’re talking about it, and that’s what we wanted.”

In short, as long as people talk about it. But while the adoption of the two mandatory pit stops may have worked—partially—this year, by next year all teams will know how to handle the situation, should this rule be confirmed for 2026. This would imply a lack of variables to consider.

In short, a rule that provides a “one shot” benefit. A one-time effect. Liberty Media, which is constantly seeking entertainment and spectacle even in a sport as “pure” as the World Championship circus has often been, will likely have to come up with something different to maintain uncertainty in a race that, on Sundays, offers far too many certainties. And perhaps it’s time to study a long-term plan instead of relying on tricks that might only be effective for one year?