FIA explains why controversial two-stop Monaco GP rule remains for 2026 – for now

In an attempt to make the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix more exciting for fans, the FIA introduced a new rule this year mandating two compulsory pitstops.

With overtaking virtually impossible in the streets of Monte Carlo, the idea was to at least add some more strategic intrigue.

In practice, however, the new rule led to unexpected consequences.

Teams such as Racing Bulls and Williams cleverly exploited the regulations by using one car to deliberately hold up the field, allowing their team-mate to benefit from one or even two ‘free’ pitstops. It sparked debate in the paddock post-race: is this what F1 should be – should intentional slow driving be rewarded in the pinnacle of motorsport?

Drivers warn against more ‘race manipulation’ in the future

Given that debate, it’s perhaps surprising that the Monaco two-stop rule is back in the sporting regulations for 2026.

Following an e-vote by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, Article 6.3.6 now reads: “For the race in Monaco, each driver must use at least three sets of tyres of any specification.”

While there is still no requirement to use all three compounds, the mandate to use three sets naturally means two pitstops during the Monaco GP.

For some teams, including Williams, this news came as a surprise. Carlos Sainz was one of the most vocal drivers after the race in the principality, describing the tactics as ‘race manipulation’.

“You’re driving two or three seconds off the pace that the car can do. You are ultimately manipulating the race and manipulating the outcome a bit,” he said.

“We should find a way that this cannot be done in the future because I have the feeling every year people are going to do it more and more. I fear that as we move forward, teams are going to be more comfortable doing what we did, and it’s going to become too much.”

FIA responds: Open to better ideas from the teams

Following up on the matter, FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis clarified the situation in an interview with Autosport: “First of all, we don’t think that what we saw this year is necessarily the thing to repeat or the thing to aim for. There is an issue to be addressed.

“At the moment the 2026 rules still include the two pitstops for Monaco, but we are in August and Monaco is in June next year. The intention is to discuss it more in the Sporting Advisory Committee.”

The rule is in place for now, but that doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. Tombazis added: “It has always been our intention to see what can be done. Clearly there is a track issue, meaning that overtaking is almost impossible, if not impossible. That is the root cause of these issues, not whether there are one or two stops or something like that. That was always a secondary aspect I think.

“Clearly the request to the teams is to be creative and propositive. We at the FIA are not sold on any particular solution yet. If there are proposals that will make it better, then we will definitely support them. This is one of the topics that will be discussed with the Sporting Advisory Committee and the F1 Commission in the next few meetings.”