Lewis Hamilton is optimistic that Formula 1’s new two-stop tyre rule will help avoid a repeat of what he called last year’s “shite” Monaco Grand Prix.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s race, the Ferrari driver welcomed the regulation change, which requires all drivers to use three different sets of dry tyres — effectively forcing two pit stops in a race that’s historically been dominated by track position and minimal action.
“I think the two stops should be better than the sh*te we had last year,” Hamilton said in Monte Carlo. “Last year the safety car came out lap 2 and everyone was just on one tyre for 70 something laps. It was an uneventful race. I think this forces a bit more of a lottery.”
Hamilton targets strategy advantage
Hamilton, who was demoted to seventh on the grid after a three-place penalty for impeding Max Verstappen during qualifying, is counting on tyre strategy and two-stop rule to play a more decisive role in the Monaco outcome. The 39-year-old has chosen to retain two sets of hard tyres for the race, offering him more flexibility as the event unfolds.
“You need that at this sort of track because you can’t overtake,” Hamilton said. “I’m excited to see how different it is. I chose to have two hards, Charles chose to have two mediums. I’m hoping that there’s a benefit of that, but of course the two McLarens have two hards as well.”
The introduction of the rule comes after heavy criticism of recent Monaco races, particularly last year, when an early safety car allowed drivers to conserve tyres and avoid additional stops. The FIA’s new regulation was designed to stop that pattern by mandating the use of three different tyre sets, regardless of whether stops happen under normal race conditions or during red flags.
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While the rule doesn’t force teams to stop under green flag conditions, it does remove several of the usual loopholes — such as changing tyres before the start of the race or during formation laps — to ensure that some level of strategic variation is introduced.
Strategy conversations extend late into the night
The unique challenge of Monte Carlo, combined with the new tyre rule, has kept strategists guessing throughout the weekend. Hamilton acknowledged that teams will be working deep into Saturday night to weigh up the best pit windows and potential outcomes.
“It’s a discussion you have at the beginning of tonight and tomorrow,” Hamilton explained. “You have to rely on the team to… because you don’t know where everyone is. You also have to have good patience and try not to overtake yourself. That’s why I’ve given myself two hards, so hopefully that gives me a bit more opportunities.”
The rule has been welcomed by many in the paddock as a way to introduce some much-needed unpredictability. With overtaking nearly impossible around Monaco’s narrow streets, tyre strategy has often been one of the only tools for gaining positions — and now, with mandatory variation built in, it could lead to very different outcomes up and down the grid.
Whether the change results in more on-track excitement remains to be seen, but Hamilton — and plenty of fans — are hoping that Sunday’s race will be remembered for something other than a slow parade behind the pole-sitter.
