F1 Monaco GP: Five quick takeaways

The two-stop strategy worked for F1

Well done to the FIA, F1 and Pirelli. The Monaco Grand Prix was anything but boring, thanks to the new rule introduced following last year’s snooze-fest.

In the week leading up to the race, there was a lot of talk about the strategy options that the teams would explore on Sunday, and everything happened exactly as the teams and drivers predicted: it turned out to be completely unpredictable. We saw drivers stop after the first lap, teams creating gaps for pitstops for their leading drivers, and different strategies for the frontrunners.

A bit artificial? Probably. But Formula 1 is entertainment, and there was plenty of that at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix. It was definitely worth repeating. Perhaps it’s even worth exploring the idea of trying something similar in other races.

– Oleg Karpov

Norris back in top form

While the uncertainty over strategy calls was the talk of Monte Carlo ahead of the race, Lando Norris once again proved pole position is king when it comes to taking the win.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

The McLaren man gave his world title aspirations a much-needed shot in the arm with a calm and considered drive to a victory that sees him close to within three points of team-mate Oscar Piastri at the top of the championship standings.

Norris set the fastest lap this track has ever seen to steal pole away from Charles Leclerc and, other than a lock-up heading into the first corner, he controlled the race to seal his first grand prix win since the season opener in Melbourne.

– Mark Mann-Bryans

Hadjar isn’t stupid

After two crashes in FP2 on Friday, Isack Hadjar called himself “stupid” and an “idiot”, prompting Helmut Marko to ask him to stop dwelling on his intelligence and focus instead. And that’s exactly what he did from then on. He qualified sixth, gaining a position after Hamilton was penalized, which put him in fifth place on the grid. Together with the team, he delivered on his role in the perfect strategy plan.

This was largely thanks to the help from his team-mate, Liam Lawson, who slowed down considerably so that Hadjar could pit twice and remain in the top eight. But the Frenchman definitely proved that he was no “idiot”. In fact, he is probably the most impressive junior of the year, perhaps even more so than Antonelli, given the difference in machinery.

– Jose Carlos de Celis

Ocon made the right choice by switching to Haas

What a difference a year makes! After the 2024 race in Monaco, Esteban Ocon was the least popular driver in F1: crashing into his team-mate, getting told off by his team boss and facing a barrage of criticism in the media.

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

Since then, he has left Alpine and ended up with a better car, scoring points and enjoying the supportive atmosphere of a smaller team that cares only about racing.

Ocon’s 2023 grand prix with Alpine was one of the best drives of his career. Even if he didn’t finish on the podium in 2025, it was a very strong race. Ocon described his Q3 lap as one of the best of his career in Monaco, and he delivered a mistake-free race. You could say that his perfect strategy was sponsored by VCARB, but he earned the right to benefit from it by performing well on Saturday.

– Oleg Karpov

Mercedes played their strategy the worst

Mercedes had the worst possible Saturday ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, suffering a double qualifying blow. Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed in the dying seconds of Q1, which ruled him out of Q2, while George Russell suddenly lost power at the start of the second part of the session. This left both cars in 14th and 15th positions on the grid.

The two mandatory pitstops presented the team with an opportunity to recover, but Mercedes’ plan – if they had one – didn’t work.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images

With both cars sitting behind a train led by Carlos Sainz, which allowed his Williams team-mate Alex Albon to pull ahead in the first part of the race, Mercedes decided to hold their positions. They did the same when Albon was holding up the field.

Russell then took matters into his own hands by cutting the chicane to overtake Albon. This resulted in a drive-through penalty, essentially adding another pitstop to his race…

– Federico Faturos