Max Verstappen and George Russell have spoken out against Formula 1’s latest effort to make the Monaco Grand Prix more exciting. The race, held on Sunday, introduced a rule that forced all drivers to make two pit stops. This rule was meant to increase drama and allow more strategy options. However, the result was a slow race with no overtaking and very little excitement for fans or drivers.
Despite the new rule, the race remained processional. Drivers stayed in the same positions for most of the 78 laps. Verstappen, a three-time world champion, expressed disappointment in how little the rule changed things. He spent much of the race unable to pass slower cars in front, even when they had worn-out tires. George Russell faced similar problems. After a technical issue in qualifying, he started the race in 14th position and got stuck behind slower competitors for a long time. In a desperate move, he made an illegal overtake, which led to a penalty.
Both drivers felt that the idea of adding mandatory pit stops failed completely. The hope had been that requiring more stops would mix up strategies and force drivers to take more risks. Instead, it became clear that Monaco’s tight and twisty street circuit leaves almost no room for overtaking, no matter the strategy. Even when tire performance dropped off, drivers could not make moves. Cars ran in a line for most of the race, with only pit stops changing the running order. The rule change did not solve the core problem: Monaco is a track that does not allow real racing under current Formula 1 conditions.
George Russell offered a bold suggestion after the race. He said that Monaco might work better as a qualifying-only event. In his view, qualifying at Monaco is the most exciting part of the weekend, as drivers push to the limit through narrow corners with no room for error. He suggested awarding points for qualifying sessions on both Saturday and Sunday instead of having a full race. His comments reflect a growing opinion in the paddock and among fans that something bigger needs to change for Monaco to remain a key race on the Formula 1 calendar.
Russell also pointed out that many of the people attending the Monaco Grand Prix are not focused on racing. With yachts, celebrities, and luxury parties, the event is seen by some as more about image than sport. While the glamour of Monaco is part of its appeal, many believe the racing must improve to keep it relevant in a fast-changing sport. Formula 1 has grown rapidly in recent years, with new fans, new circuits, and more emphasis on action-packed events. Tracks like Miami, Las Vegas, and Jeddah offer more overtaking and modern facilities, which makes Monaco’s outdated layout harder to defend.
While Formula 1 leadership has not made any firm decisions about the future of the Monaco Grand Prix, it is clear that changes are needed. Fans continue to express frustration online, and top drivers are now publicly questioning whether the race should continue in its current format. Several experts suggest that changing the track layout or adding sprint races could help. Others believe the sport should consider dropping Monaco if it cannot deliver competitive racing.
For now, the event remains on the calendar, but its future is uncertain. The failed pit stop experiment showed that small changes are not enough. More significant action may be required to make Monaco more than just a beautiful setting for a slow race.