Max Verstappen and George Russell sharply criticized Formula 1’s new two-stop rule at the Monaco Grand Prix, calling it a failure to create real excitement. Both drivers said the mandatory pit stops did not change the race dynamics. Verstappen joked the event resembled a video game, while Russell said most spectators were more interested in the social scene than the racing.
Formula 1 introduced the compulsory two-stop rule this year to add unpredictability at Monaco. The track’s narrow streets make overtaking extremely difficult. However, the rule failed to spark any on-track action during the 78-lap race. No overtakes occurred, showing that modern cars are too wide and heavy to pass rivals on the tight circuit.
Verstappen briefly led late but was frustrated by the lack of passing chances. “You can’t race here anyway,” he said. “One stop or ten stops, it makes no difference. Even with worn tires, passing is impossible. We were almost playing Mario Kart. Maybe next time they should add banana peels or slippery patches.”
Russell, who started 14th after a qualifying issue, was stuck behind slower cars. He made one illegal pass and received a penalty. He suggested a drastic change for Monaco: scrap the race and turn it into a qualifying-only event.
“The two-stop rule clearly didn’t work,” Russell said. “Qualifying is the best part of the weekend. We should just have qualifying sessions on Saturday and Sunday, with points and a trophy. That’s what drivers and fans enjoy most.”
Russell also pointed out the social aspect overshadowing the race. “Most people here are sipping champagne on yachts. They don’t really care about the racing,” he said.
These comments highlight growing concerns about Monaco’s format. While the Grand Prix remains a prestigious and visually stunning event, many agree its current race setup struggles to deliver genuine on-track excitement. A fundamental rethink might be needed to keep Monaco relevant in modern Formula 1.