The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix saw Lando Norris clinch a remarkable victory amid an environment marked by strategic manipulation and controversy. The race, defined by a new mandatory two-stop requirement, witnessed teams employing unconventional tactics to navigate the challenges posed by the circuit's unique layout . Norris's triumph was particularly noteworthy as he managed to fend off significant pressure from Charles Leclerc, demonstrating both skill and composure under duress. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen’s strategy faltered due to an ill-timed late pit stop that ultimately hindered his performance .
The rule was introduced after the 2024 Monaco race was a lifeless procession after a lap one red flag stoppage, and it did produce talking points across the field this time around. Several teams employed tactics that meant one driver helped their teammate by slowing down rivals behind, while fourth-place finisher Max Verstappen stopped for the final time well out of sync with the other leaders.
Norris led the race from pole, surviving early pressure at the first corner from Ferrari driver Leclerc, where the McLaren driver locked up and slid into what was still one of the most perilous moments of the whole contest. An early virtual safety car period was then activated after Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto hit the barriers, and this meant several backmarkers stopped earlier than normal with the new rule in mind.
Williams drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz rounded out the points-paying positions in ninth and tenth, although both provided a lot of the drama and controversy that took place in the lower half of the order.
With Lawson slowing the field down ahead, Albon and Sainz also backed up the pack massively, knowing a handful of points were on offer with everyone else behind mandated to do the same number of stops.
Their driving irked Mercedes' George Russell, who repeatedly complained at how slowly Sainz was driving.
Conversely, the Mercedes team expressed frustration over Williams' strategic decisions during the race. Drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz admitted to utilizing slow-down tactics as a means of manipulating race dynamics after observing similar strategies employed by competitors . This admission raises questions about the ethical implications of such strategies in Formula 1 racing. As teams adapt their approaches in response to regulatory changes, it is crucial for governing bodies to address these tactics to maintain the sport's integrity .
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