The intention of the rule change was to spice up the notoriously processional race on the tight Monte Carlo street circuit by increasing strategic complexity. However, the result was a race dominated by pit-lane action and team tactics rather than on-track battles.

Drivers like Carlos Sainz openly said the rule “backfired,” lamenting how teams resorted to manipulating race pace by having one driver deliberately slow down to hold up rivals, allowing their teammate to pit with a gap.

This tactic, deployed notably by Racing Bulls and Williams, frustrated many competitors and fans, as it emphasized strategy games over genuine racing. Sainz called the spectacle “something I don’t like seeing” and warned that without further regulation changes, such manipulation will persist.

Top drivers: “Mario Kart” and “Ugly Race”

Max Verstappen, who led most of the race until his final pit stop, was blunt in his assessment, saying, “You can’t race here. It doesn’t matter what you do. One stop, 10 stops.” He compared the experience to “Mario Kart,” mocking the artificial nature of the race and the futility of overtaking on the narrow track.

Williams’ Alex Albon called the race “very ugly” and apologized to fans for the poor spectacle. He explained that the two-stop rule forced drivers to slow down twice as much as before, making the race dull and frustrating.

Mercedes driver George Russell also expressed his annoyance, calling the race “pretty silly” and lamenting the lack of real racing.

Mixed views and calls for further evolution

Not all voices were negative. McLaren’s Lando Norris, who won the race from pole, described the event as “much more exciting than the usual Monaco,” while Red Bull’s Christian Horner called it an “improvement” over previous years’ processional races.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff both welcomed the attempt to innovate but acknowledged the need for further tweaks. Wolff suggested introducing rules to prevent drivers from deliberately backing off and slowing the race pace.

The fundamental problem remains Monaco’s layout: a tight, twisty street circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult. The size of modern F1 cars and narrow track limits racing action, making strategy the main battleground. While the two-stop rule added pit-lane drama, it failed to create meaningful on-track battles, leaving many to question whether the rule should be refined or replaced.