2025 Monaco Grand Prix strategy briefing: All the data to follow the race with

17 comments on “2025 Monaco Grand Prix strategy briefing: All the data to follow the race with”

1. 

   MGus.ai
   25th May 2025, 1:43

   Given the propensity of teams and drivers making a ridicule of FIA regulations, I can only imagine that some teams will make a pitstop before lap 3.
   Sincerely, if someone took crazy pills, one could even make them both before lap 10. The first by lap 1 or 2, then as soon there is enough gap to not be lapped, make the second one and hold track position to the chequered flag.
   1. 

      Jere (@jerejj)
      25th May 2025, 5:59

      Same, although no driver would be at the risk of getting lapped during the second pit stop if both were done by lap 10 unless the first stop is extremely slow or features a puncture beforehand.
   2. 

      Iosif (@afonic)
      25th May 2025, 8:47

      And then we get a safety car or a red flag you finish P20.
      1. 

         Esploratore (@esploratore1)
         25th May 2025, 8:58

         Exactly, I have a hard time thinking pitting immediately is a winning strategy, you give up track position, which is paramount.
         1. 

            MGus.ai
            25th May 2025, 12:45

            Yeah, the point is, if a driver already has a poor track position, then the gamble might be worthy.
            If one is already expecting to finish 16th to 20th, trying something new is interesting.
            Also, think about Sainz, he can expect to gain many positions on the track. So, he would at least have something to talk about in the post race.
2. 

   Paul
   25th May 2025, 3:29

   I expect most drivers outside the top 10 to pit lap 1 or 2 then with the high number of Rookie drivers plus the like of Blind Man Stroll I fully expect at least 1 red flag for another change of Tyres.

   It represents the best chance for drivers outside the points to be able to get into a position for points on a track almost nobody can pass on.
   1. 

      Jere (@jerejj)
      25th May 2025, 6:00

      The back-end starters are the most viable candidates for an early pit stop since they have the least to lose by doing so.
   2. 

      Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
      25th May 2025, 10:24

      One wonders why you then need to watch. I’m just going to watch and find out what happens. Sport works better that way
      1. 

         F1 in Figures (@f1infigures)
         25th May 2025, 11:47

         @tonymansell This whole article is about what we can expect from the race and in this comment section people can express their views. No need to be rude.
3. 

   Jere (@jerejj)
   25th May 2025, 5:57

   How do you think teams will handle the unique rules for this weekend’s race?
   – I reckon at least some might do away with the first of their minimum requirement within the first five laps, even as early as on lap one or two, but we’ll see.
4. 

   Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
   25th May 2025, 7:43

   Surely we’ll see a few cars pitting on lap 1 then try to catch back the end of the snake and wait until VSC/SC/red flag for the next change.

   The front runners will probably aim for the opposite, waiting for VSC/SC/red to make their pit stops and hope to get 2 of them.
5. 

   Kris
   25th May 2025, 8:37

   I’m wondering what red bull are planning to do.

   They seem to have very few tires available.

   Start on the soft and pit after a lap?
   1. 

      Esploratore (@esploratore1)
      25th May 2025, 9:01

      That’s a losing strategy for verstappen, he’d get stuck in traffic behind way slower cars, unless he’s able to overtake them like he did in 2018, but in recent times we’ve seen a lot less overtaking here.
   2. 

      Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
      25th May 2025, 9:04

      Hards, don’t stop, win by more than a minute!
   3. 

      F1 in Figures (@f1infigures)
      25th May 2025, 10:57

      Maybe they just switch back to an old set of tires. Or start on softs in the hope to gain a place at the start and then manage the tires like crazy. For Tsunoda an early stop makes sense, as he doesn’t have much to lose.
6. 

   An Sionnach
   25th May 2025, 11:58

   Some interesting ideas here, already. It would be interesting to compare team notes on strategy. Do the teams that more consistently do well have more homework done? When are red flags most statistically likely? How long to wait before you are losing time by waiting any further? If a team chooses to go long or short and there’s little else to their strategy, they’ll be exposed when they go into unknown territory. Do the best race teams have a detailed strategy map in place, along with the ability to think on their feet? Red Bull holding their nerve last week comes to mind. They seemed to know that the surprise of Leclerc benefiting from the early stop wasn’t going to be the best strategy for Max.

   I’d like to see a Lando win this time. He’s fast and should have the confidence to put it on pole more often than not and sail off into the sunset. That’s clearly more difficult this year, but he has the talent to do this and I don’t think it has gone away. Leclerc is possibly the best driver around Monaco. Might be nice to see him win a better race this time around.

   Strategy for the front of the field? Start as well as possible, keep it clean and aim to be close enough during the pit stop window to gain one position. If the opportunity presents itself to gain at the start, go for it, but only if it’s a guaranteed opportunity (so where an opponent has been slow off the line). Not very adventurous, but at a track like this you have to learn to not be greedy. Yes, you could gain one position by taking a lot of risk. You probably stand to gain more by keeping it clean (Olivier Panis, 1996). No rain expected today, but the biggest chances to gain will be from red flags or, more generally, getting the two pit stops in at the right time. The pit crews will be important. The top teams, while generally good, have had the odd hiccup this year. This isn’t the place to drop half a second or more in the pits. Teams that do poor stops and consistently get strategy wrong like Aston Martin may suffer.
7. 

   BLS (@brightlampshade)
   25th May 2025, 13:14

   The forced 2 stop has the potential to be interesting (unless safety cars / red flags force the issue). But it feels like a one trick pony. If they do it next season everyone will be more wise to how things will play out.

   I’m willing to give it a chance, but if it is deemed a success then I worry about what that may mean for all races going forward.

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