The FIA knows the Monaco GP is boring, so here’s its plan to change that

After last year’s Monaco Grand Prix, Max Verstappen described the race as “really, really boring”, while Lewis Hamilton said: “I don't know what it was like watching, but I am sure people were falling asleep.”

Now, those comments were probably partly brought about by their respective sixth and seventh place finishes, but it’s true that – other than a home win for Charles Leclerc – there wasn’t exactly much to get excited about on the Sunday in 2024. Heck, the top 10 all finished in exactly the same positions they started.

And so, the FIA has decided to step in to spice up the on-track action in the principality.

“The FIA World Motor Sport Council reviewed a proposal regarding the implementation of a mandatory two-stop strategy (in both wet and dry conditions) for the Monaco GP, with the primary intent of improving the sporting spectacle of this race given the notable difficulty in overtaking at this circuit,” said a statement.

“Following recent discussions in the F1 Commission, a specific requirement for the Monaco GP has been approved mandating the use of at least three sets of tyres in the race, with a minimum of two different tyre compounds to be used if it’s a dry race.”

So, there you have it. That’s the governing body’s big plan to inject some drama into the Monaco GP. Requiring more pitstops will of course create more opportunities for things to go wrong, and it’ll also allow the teams to flex their strategic muscles a bit more, but is it a bit of a gimmick? Heck, why not go all-in on the gimmicks and just invest in a load of trackside sprinklers to constantly change the track conditions?

Actually, that’s not a bad idea at all. Has anyone got Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s phone number?