The 2-stop technique labored for F1
Effectively performed to the FIA, F1 and Pirelli. The Monaco Grand Prix was something however boring, because of the brand new rule launched following final 12 months’s snooze-fest.
Within the week main as much as the race, there was a variety of discuss in regards to the technique choices that the groups would discover on Sunday, and all the things occurred precisely because the groups and drivers predicted: it turned out to be fully unpredictable. We noticed drivers cease after the primary lap, groups creating gaps for pitstops for his or her main drivers, and completely different methods for the frontrunners.
A bit synthetic? In all probability. However Method 1 is leisure, and there was loads of that on the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix. It was positively value repeating. Maybe it is even value exploring the thought of attempting one thing related in different races.
– Oleg Karpov
Norris again in prime type
Whereas the uncertainty over technique calls was the discuss of Monte Carlo forward of the race, Lando Norris as soon as once more proved pole place is king on the subject of taking the win.
Lando Norris, McLaren
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos through Getty Photos
The McLaren man gave his world title aspirations a much-needed shot within the arm with a relaxed and thought of drive to a victory that sees him near inside three factors of team-mate Oscar Piastri on the prime of the championship standings.
Norris set the quickest lap this observe has ever seen to steal pole away from Charles Leclerc and, aside from a lock-up heading into the primary nook, he managed the race to seal his first grand prix win for the reason that season opener in Melbourne.
– Mark Mann-Bryans
Hadjar is not silly
After two crashes in FP2 on Friday, Isack Hadjar known as himself “silly” and an “fool”, prompting Helmut Marko to ask him to cease dwelling on his intelligence and focus as a substitute. And that is precisely what he did from then on. He certified sixth, gaining a place after Hamilton was penalized, which put him in fifth place on the grid. Along with the group, he delivered on his function within the good technique plan.
This was largely because of the assistance from his team-mate, Liam Lawson, who slowed down significantly in order that Hadjar may pit twice and stay within the prime eight. However the Frenchman positively proved that he was no “fool”. In truth, he’s in all probability essentially the most spectacular junior of the 12 months, maybe much more so than Antonelli, given the distinction in equipment.
– Jose Carlos de Celis
Ocon made the suitable alternative by switching to Haas
What a distinction a 12 months makes! After the 2024 race in Monaco, Esteban Ocon was the least widespread driver in F1: crashing into his team-mate, getting advised off by his group boss and going through a barrage of criticism within the media.
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Workforce
Photograph by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Photos
Since then, he has left Alpine and ended up with a greater automobile, scoring factors and having fun with the supportive ambiance of a smaller group that cares solely about racing.
Ocon’s 2023 grand prix with Alpine was top-of-the-line drives of his profession. Even when he did not end on the rostrum in 2025, it was a really sturdy race. Ocon described his Q3 lap as top-of-the-line of his profession in Monaco, and he delivered a mistake-free race. You can say that his good technique was sponsored by VCARB, however he earned the suitable to learn from it by performing nicely on Saturday.
– Oleg Karpov
Mercedes performed their technique the worst
Mercedes had the worst doable Saturday forward of the Monaco Grand Prix, struggling a double qualifying blow. Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed within the dying seconds of Q1, which dominated him out of Q2, whereas George Russell instantly misplaced energy at first of the second a part of the session. This left each automobiles in 14th and fifteenth positions on the grid.
The 2 obligatory pitstops offered the group with a chance to get better, however Mercedes’ plan – if that they had one – did not work.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Peter Fox / Getty Photos
With each automobiles sitting behind a practice led by Carlos Sainz, which allowed his Williams team-mate Alex Albon to tug forward within the first a part of the race, Mercedes determined to carry their positions. They did the identical when Albon was holding up the sector.
Russell then took issues into his personal arms by reducing the chicane to overhaul Albon. This resulted in a drive-through penalty, basically including one other pitstop to his race…
– Federico Faturos
Images from Monaco GP – Race
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