Formula 1 returns to Monte Carlo this weekend for one of the most iconic races on the calendar—the Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix is legendary in the world of motorsport. The 3.3-kilometre street circuit is the shortest on the F1 calendar and features the lowest average speeds of any race. But what it lacks in speed, it makes up for in challenge.
The circuit is tight and twisty. With barely enough room for two cars side by side, it makes overtaking extra difficult. As a result, track position is everything, making Saturday's qualifying session arguably more important than the race itself.
MORE: Who won the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The importance of qualifying
Qualifying takes place the day before the race and consists of three elimination rounds: Q1, Q2 and Q3.
In Formula 1, qualifying determines the starting grid for Sunday’s race and often dictates the outcome, especially in Monaco. The track positions could impact each driver with the ranking on the Sunday race.
Each session allows drivers a limited amount of time to post their fastest lap. The top 15 from Q1 progress to Q2, then the top 10 advance to Q3. The driver who sets the fastest lap in Q3 earns pole position, lining up first on the grid, with the rest of the field placed in descending order of lap time.
MORE: How does Formula 1 qualifying work? Explaining the rules, format to determine F1's starting grid
New rules can change everything
This year, the Monaco Grand Prix introduces a significant rule change: a mandatory two-pit-stop requirement.
Traditionally, drivers made just one pit stop during the race due to low tyre degradation and the importance of maintaining track position on Monaco’s narrow streets. However, under the new rule, drivers must use at least three sets of tyres during the race and run on a minimum of two different dry-weather compounds, provided the race remains dry.
This change forces teams to rethink their strategy, carefully managing tyre wear, timing for pit stops, and responding to changing race conditions.
Max Verstappen enters the weekend with strong momentum, following his victory at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. He also won his first Monaco Grand Prix in 2021, followed by another win in 2023. Can Verstappen claim his third victory in the 2025 F1 season this weekend?