Lando Norris has described the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix as “complicated,” suggesting that this year’s mandatory two-stop pit strategy could pave the way for an unexpected victor.
Renowned as the crown jewel of the Formula One Championship, the Monaco Grand Prix is undoubtedly the most iconic race among the 24-round calendar. The circuit’s narrow streets wind past renowned landmarks like Casino Square, the infamous hairpin, the tunnel, and the picturesque harbor, yet the track’s tight nature rarely facilitates overtaking opportunities or thrilling battles.
To inject more strategic complexity and excitement, the FIA has mandated a minimum of two pit stops during this year’s race—a significant change aimed at shaking up the usual race dynamics.
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Norris, currently second in the drivers' standings behind teammate Oscar Piastri, admitted he hasn’t overly focused on strategy, but expects the race to challenge teams and drivers alike.
“It’s something I don’t need to be overthinking, but it’ll definitely be a complicated race,” Norris said. “It’s not just about making two pit stops—there’s a lot more to consider.”
He sees this new rule as an opportunity for a wider range of drivers to contend for victory. “There’s a chance for everyone; it might bring a bit of luck into play. That makes a surprise winner more likely this weekend, which can be good or bad depending on where you are on the grid. For those further back, it’s a perfect opportunity.”
Norris’s recent form has seen some strong race performances, but qualifying has been a struggle for the British driver. Despite possessing the speed, he’s had difficulty putting together perfect Saturdays, which is crucial at Monaco where overtaking is limited.
“I’m confident in my speed,” he noted. “But this year, I haven’t been able to put everything together in qualifying like I have in previous years. When you’re competing against the best, not performing perfectly on Saturdays can really hold you back. My focus is definitely on improving Saturday performances, as I’m happy with my race pace.”
Meanwhile, Mercedes’ George Russell has been a standout in qualifying this season, consistently reaching the top five. He is cautiously optimistic heading into Monaco’s unique challenges.
“We’re excited for the weekend,” Russell said. “Qualifying has been one of our strengths—we’ve been within a tenth of pole position multiple times. With this two-stop strategy, it’s going to be interesting to see how the race unfolds. In previous years, qualifying was everything here, but race pace may now have a bigger role to play.”
As teams and drivers prepare for the glamour and complexity of Monaco, spectators can expect strategic intrigue and perhaps an unexpected addition to the list of winners on this prestigious street circuit.