Formula 1 News: 2025 Monaco GP Preview
The Monaco GP is one of the classics on the Formula 1 calendar, and this year will be the 71st edition of the race to count towards the Drivers’ World Championship.
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most iconic and prestigious events on the Formula 1 calendar, not just because of its long history, but also because of the mystique that surrounds it. It was first held in 1929, making it one of the sport’s oldest races and it is also part of what’s known as motor racing’s Triple Crown, along with the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Indianapolis 500 Miles.
Narrow streets, tight turns, steep climbs and descents and the famous tunnel that leads onto the harbor are some of the defining characteristics that make Monaco a track like no other. It’s a place where precision is more important than power, with virtually no room for mistakes.
Apart from the actual racing, the Monaco Grand Prix is a unique social event, a mix of sport, elegance and glamour, generating an atmosphere all of its own. From a technical point of view, it is a very complicated race: the cars run with maximum aero downforce and with very limited overtaking opportunities, qualifying generally plays a key role in determining the winner. Ultimately, Monaco is much more than just a race, it’s a symbolic celebration of the purest and most spectacular essence of Formula 1.
For the teams racing there, of course, Monaco is different. Monaco is a test of strength, willpower and resistance for drivers and crews alike: in the cockpit, it’s a relentless mental challenge, corner after corner requiring millimetric precision to avoid a race-ending rendezvous with the barriers; it’s pure performance, one of the places where the skill of those behind the wheel most comes to the fore. In the garage – the cramped garages, on three levels, with trees sticking through the floor and ceiling – mechanics contend with conditions they don’t experience anywhere else in the world – but cannot compromise on precision. Driving Monaco may be like “riding a bicycle in your living room”, but working in these garages could be described as being more akin to a crossfit workout in a broom closet.
Winding its way through the streets of the Principality usually open to normal traffic, the track is 3.337 kilometers long and tackled 78 times in the race. Very narrow with 19 corners, some of them very tight, there are virtually no run-off areas and the barriers are so close that the drivers often brush against them, as they strive to use every available inch of road.
Around half the track has been resurfaced, specifically from turn 12 to turn 3, so that this section should now be as smooth as the rest of the circuit. This type of surface does not promote tire grip and could lead to graining, especially in the first couple of practice sessions. Then, as the racing line gets rubbered-in, the situation should improve, while bearing in mind that the track is reopened to road traffic at the end of each day.
Monaco is unique in every aspect: it’s a track from a different era, on which qualifying means as much as the race, a circuit on which the wider, larger F1 cars of today tread the same streets on which Jackie Stewart’s and Graham Hill’s slender machines darted. The paddock, away from the garages on the Quai Antoine 1er, is a world on its own, yachts bobbing quietly on the sea in front of busy hospitalities; the fans, ubiquitous, crowd the hill over Rascasse and every other open space – they’re the closest they can be to Formula One here. They’re as much part of the story as the cars on track.
Despite every challenge, Monaco is still Monaco. Each crammed space, each oddity, is just making this race unique: for every fan, for every driver, for every team member, doing Monaco is a badge of honor. Because one thing is true to all those who experienced it: nothing ever feels like Monaco.
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most iconic events on the sporting landscape. It was first run in 1929 while in 1950 it was part of Formula 1’s inaugural World Championship season. It has been a near-permanent fixture of the sport ever since, absent on only four occasions, most recently in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The Circuit de Monaco stretches out across only 3.3km of the tiny Principality and while it is Formula 1’s shortest circuit it packs a lot into its layout. The 19-turn track means drivers rarely have a chance to draw breath, with the challenge heightened by the proximity of the barriers, and the blind nature of several of the corners. Drivers must build up speed through the course of the three practice sessions as confidence and track conditions ramp up.
Given that overtaking is a near-impossibility Saturday’s qualifying session, and the timing of the mandatory pit stop in Sunday’s race, takes on added importance compared to most grands prix. Teams and drivers must also be on alert for the probability of Safety Car periods, or even red flags, which could upend the situation at any moment.
Changes for 2025
For the first time, drivers will be required to make two mandatory pit stops during the race, irrespective of weather conditions.
This change mandates the use of at least three sets of tires, with a minimum of two different compounds in dry conditions.
The FIA implemented this rule to encourage varied strategies and increase overtaking opportunities on a track known for its limited passing chances.
Circuit modifications
To improve safety and performance, several sections of the Circuit de Monaco have been resurfaced:
From the exit of Turn 4 to the entry of Turn 6
From the exit of Turn 6 to the entry of Turn 10
From the exit of Turn 19 to the exit of Turn 1
Additionally, the FIA has upgraded the fencing between Turns 13 and 15 on the left-hand side, incorporating a 45-degree angled upper section to enhance driver safety.
DRS zone and track limits
The Drag Reduction System (DRS) zone remains unchanged, with the detection point located 80 meters after Turn 16 and activation 18 meters after Turn 19.
Regarding track limits, drivers using the escape road at Turns 10-11 must rejoin the track only when signaled by green lights operated by marshals, ensuring safe re-entry.
Curfew adjustments
Given Monaco’s unique logistical challenges, the FIA has adjusted team curfew regulations for the event.
Specific details on these adjustments have been communicated directly to the teams to accommodate the tight scheduling constraints typical of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend.
These changes reflect the FIA’s commitment to enhancing the spectacle of the Monaco Grand Prix while maintaining the safety and integrity of the sport.
USA TV Schedule
Race Insight
Monaco traditionally has been a one-stop race, utilizing the two softest compounds of Pirelli’s range. With no change to the compounds, expect similar again this year. Track position is key here, and car setup will likely prioritize one-lap pace over race pace. The pit time loss is below the season’s average.
Unlocking the Lap
The lap opens with a short run to the first corner, Sainte Devote. The braking point at the end of the start-finish straight is difficult to judge, and the exit is key for the blast up the hill at Beau Rivage. It’s not uncommon to see drivers who have misjudged the braking into this first corner take to the escape road. One of the heaviest braking zones on the circuit, coming at the end of the only DRS zone, Sainte Devote can present an overtaking opportunity but it has been notorious for collisions over the years.
After the famous Fairmont Hotel Hairpin is the tricky Portier section. This double right-hander is fiendishly tricky. The first part requires mounting the pavement for the best line, while the second requires a good exit for the run through the tunnel that follows. It can also be a passing zone if a driver can catch another off guard.
A good lap can very quickly go wrong at the Swimming Pool complex. The first part – a very fast left-right chicane, is one of the most spectacular places to watch a Formula One car. There is no breathing room before the second part – a slightly slower right-left, where it is easy to clip the barrier on entry, or the curb on exit.
Monaco GP Fact File
- The Monaco Grand Prix was the second round of the 1950 season, the inaugural year of the Drivers’ World Championship. It saw the first appearance of Scuderia Ferrari, the only team to have taken part in every edition of motor racing’s blue riband series. The Italian marque heads the field when it comes to World Championships (15 Drivers’ and 16 Constructors’), wins (248), pole positions (253), fastest race laps (263) and podium finishes (830).There have been 70 Monaco GP to date, as it was off the calendar from 1951 to 1954 and in 2020. The “Prince” (the four-wheeled variety) of Monaco is Ayrton Senna with six wins, followed by Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher on five. The Brazilian also holds the record for the most pole positions (5) and podiums (8).McLaren is the most successful team in the Principality with 15 wins, followed by Ferrari on ten, while Lotus and Red Bull Racing are joint third with seven. The team from Maranello has the most poles (13), with McLaren second (11) and Lotus third (9). Ferrari also tops the table for podium finishes with 57, more than double the number of second placed McLaren on 28, with Lotus again third on 16.Almost half the winners (32, equivalent to 45.71%) started from pole. If one considers that a further 16 winners (22.68%) started from second on the grid, it is easy to understand why Saturday’s qualifying is so crucial to doing well on Sunday. However, in 1996, Olivier Panis delivered an exceptionally rare feat by winning from 14th on the grid!
- This will be the 82st running of the Monaco Grand Prix
- The race sees the highest lap count of any event with 78 tours of the circuit forming the Monaco Grand Prix. It is the only race that does not adhere to the FIA’s mandated 305 km minimum distance, measuring 260.286 km.
- A tighter and narrower pitlane than most F1 tracks means Monaco is one of three circuits to run a pitlane speed of 60 km/h, rather than the usual 80. The other two are Zandvoort and Singapore.
- Monaco, along with Jeddah, has the most number of right hand turns on the F1 calendar with 11.
- For this 82nd edition of the Monaco Grand Prix, a two-stop strategy will be mandatory for all teams.
- The softer C4, C5, and C6 tire compounds will be used at the streets of the Principality, one step softer than last year.
- From the seven races in F1’s inaugural 1950 season, only four of them remain on the calendar in 2025: the British, Monaco, Belgian and Italian Grands Prix. All four races take place on the same circuits they did in 1950: Silverstone, Circuit de Monaco, Spa-Francorchamps, and Monza.
- The first-ever Monaco Grand Prix was organized in 1929 by Antony Noghès. The final corner of the circuit is named in his honor.
- The 1996 event holds the record for the F1 race with the fewest finishers. Only podium scorers Olivier Panis, David Coulthard, and Johnny Herbert finished the race.
Related Article: F1 News: Leclerc leads flag-to-flag in 2024 Monaco GP
Weather Forecast
Friday, May 23 – FP1 & FP2
Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze from the south.
Low chance of precipitation all day,
Temperature: 68-70 degrees F throughout. Low Humidity
Saturday, May 24 – FP3 & Qualifying
Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze from the south.
Low chance of precipitation all day,
Temperature: 68-70 degrees F throughout. Low Humidity
Sunday, May 25 – Race
Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze from the south.
0% chance of precipitation all day,
Temperature: 68-70 degrees F throughout. Low Humidity
Pirelli Tires
For a second consecutive race, Pirelli has selected the three softest compounds from the 2025 range. As in Imola last week, the C4 will be the Hard, the C5 the Medium and the C6 the Soft, with the first two being the mandatory compounds for the race.
This weekend will see an important change to the regulations, specifically for this event only. During the race, two pit stops will be mandatory.
The sporting regulations were recently modified to require two mandatory pitstop for this race. The specific rule is Article 30.5, paragraph m. Here is a synopsis of its content.
“…For the Monaco race, each driver must use at least three different types of tire (either dry or wet). If a driver does not use intermediate or wet tires in the race, they must use at least two different slick tire compounds, of which one must be from the mandatory dry compounds (Hard or Medium). Unless the race is suspended and cannot be re-started, failure to comply with these requirements will result in the disqualification of the relevant driver from the race results. In this case thirty seconds will be added to the elapsed time of any driver who did not, when required to do so, use at least two specifications of dry-weather tire during the race, or who did not use at least three sets of tires of any specification during the race. Furthermore, an additional thirty seconds will be added to the elapsed time of any driver who used only one set of tires of any specification during the race.”
The aim of the FIA and F1 is to inject more excitement into a race that has often been very linear and predictable, as was very much the case last year (see specific section below).
As part of this rule change, each driver will also be allocated an additional set of Full Wets, on top of the usual two, so that the two-stop rule can be applied even if conditions require the use of extreme wet tires.
It will be interesting to see how this affects teams’ race strategies. For example, with no clear pit-stop windows, it could present opportunities for drivers starting from further back to move up the order by making the most of running in clean air.
Having two stops should also rule out concerns about tire degradation, even if it is in any case very low at this track. It could even lead to the use of the Soft compound, especially for those making a late second stop or in the case of a Safety Car period in the closing stages.
In the Monaco Grand Prix drivers usually pit just once to change tires, but last year, out of a theoretical field of 20, only six drivers made an actual in-race pit stop.
That was because the race was red flagged on the opening lap so that all the drivers still in the race were able to immediately adhere to the rule that two different compounds must be used, with the nine who started on the Medium switching to Hard and the remaining 11 doing the opposite.
After the restart, only six drivers actually pitted under racing conditions. Of these, Guanyu Zhou opted for Softs but clearly gained no performance advantage as he was still last. It made for a dull race, with the top ten taking the checkered flag in grid order.
