Frustration and slow driving at Monaco GP as F1 rule change backfires
Williams driver Alexander Albon of Thailand steers his car during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack in Monaco, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Williams driver Alexander Albon of Thailand steers his car during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack in Monaco, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands gets a pit service during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack in Monaco, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (Gabriel Bouys/Pool Photo via AP)
Williams driver Alexander Albon of Thailand steers his car during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack in Monaco, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Going slow was one way to secure points at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday as Formula 1's much-hyped attempt to shake up the prestigious race brought little drama.
Overtaking is near-impossible on Monaco's narrow streets. To make the race more of a strategy contest, F1's governing body, the FIA, required two tire changes in the hope that smartly timed pit stops would create drama.
Advertisement
Last year's winner Charles Leclerc had predicted 'chaos' but instead it was a frustrating race for many drivers as some drove extra slowly to create a gap for a teammate in front to pit without losing positions. Mercedes driver George Russell argued the go-slow led to dangerous situations.
Norris criticizes 'manufactured' racing
Winner Lando Norris was scathing about the rule change, something he saw as an attempt to create 'manufactured racing.'
Norris spent much of the race behind Max Verstappen, who delayed his second stop, hoping for a red-flag stoppage. That would have allowed a free tire change, and maybe given Verstappen the win.
Advertisement
'There's not been any more overtaking here. I thought that was what was wanted,' Norris said. 'Now you just give people opportunity by luck, by waiting for a red flag, waiting for a safety car. You aren't getting a more deserved winner in the end of things.'
'Dangerously slow' driving frustrates Russell
Mercedes driver George Russell spent much of his race stuck behind slow cars. Tensions boiled over when he accused Williams' Alex Albon of 'driving dangerously slow' and 'slamming on the brakes' in a terse radio message from Russell to his team.
Russell overtook Albon by cutting a chicane, adding he'd rather 'take the penalty' than wait any longer. The stewards had predicted drivers might try that and Russell landed a longer-than-usual penalty which dropped him back behind Albon. Russell finished 11th, his worst result this year.
Advertisement
Williams wasn't the first team to drop the pace. Its drivers were reacting to an earlier go-slow from Racing Bulls. Liam Lawson held up cars and secured space for his teammate Isack Hadjar to make two stops before many other drivers had made one.
In the end, though, none of the more unusual strategies made much difference.
Verstappen made his long-delayed second stop and placed fourth, exactly where he'd started. Racing Bulls had little to show for its efforts as Hadjar started fifth but finished sixth. Both Williams drivers stayed in the points after each moved up a spot to ninth and 10th, but that gain was only because Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin broke down.
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Mercedes F1 to Run Celebratory Livery at Silverstone with Splash of Orange
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Mercedes Formula One team will be running a special livery for this weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone to celebrate the launch of the CONCEPT AMG GT XX. Although subtle, the W16 F1 car will feature an orange Mercedes logo on the nose instead of the conventional silver emblem. The same will apply to Mercedes-AMG's logos on the race suits - orange branding over black, adding a mild pop to an overall clean look. However, the crash helmets of both drivers have yet to be unveiled. One could expect Mercedes to follow the norm by adding a hint of orange. George Russell of United Kingdom and Mercedes during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. George Russell of United Kingdom and Mercedes during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Guenther Iby/ Images Inspired by F1 technology and Mercedes-AMG's revolutionary AMG One, the CONCEPT AMG GT XX is the brand's answer to an advanced electric saloon producing 1,360 bhp. Addressing the updated livery for this weekend, Mercedes said in a statement: "It's all to do with our celebration of the three-pointed star's past, present, and future, as F1 gets set to celebrate its 75th anniversary, at the home of the very first F1 World Championship race in 1950. "The future will be seen with the CONCEPT AMG GT XX, Mercedes-AMG's pioneering technology programme, that recently launched at Mercedes-AMG's Affalterbach headquarters with George, Kimi and Valtteri. "A concept car that offers insight into the first series-production model based on high performance will be on display at Silverstone. The concept car's eye-catching sunset beam orange livery is inspired by the revolutionary Mercedes C111 vehicles of the 1960s and 1970s. "The sunset beam orange accents will feature on the W16 including the famous three-pointed stars on its nose and engine cover, driver overalls, and both George and Kimi will run special helmets incorporating the colour in celebration of the CONCEPT AMG GT XX launch. "The high-voltage battery in the CONCEPT AMG GT XX is a completely new development. It benefits from all the experience from the AMG ONE and Formula 1 as well as the knowledge of the best engineers from Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach and Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) in Brixworth." Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development and Procurement, said: "The best minds in our global R&D network have contributed their extensive expertise – from Mercedes-Benz in Sindelfingen and Untertürkheim to Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach and YASA in the UK to our Formula 1 drivetrain experts at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth. "Together, they have developed the CONCEPT AMG GT XX and are providing an insight into pioneering drivetrain technology and the future of performance."
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Lewis Hamilton warns against rushing an ‘F1' movie sequel after box-office success
SILVERSTONE, England (AP) — Lewis Hamilton says he just wants to enjoy the 'F1' movie's success as he warned Thursday that rushing a sequel would be 'the worst thing we probably could do.' The seven-time Formula 1 champion was an executive producer on the film , which stars Brad Pitt as a hard-bitten racer making a late-career comeback. It became Apple's biggest box-office hit yet when it debuted with $55.6 million in North American theaters and $144 million globally over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. 'We literally just finished it, so I think the last thing we want right now is a sequel,' Hamilton said Thursday ahead of the British Grand Prix. 'It's been four years in the making. It was a lot of work, particularly for (director Joseph Kosinski). It's time away from your family, it's time away from your kids, and also you need this to just simmer for a while, you know. Like, let's enjoy it. 'I think the worst thing we probably could do is to rush into doing a sequel,' the Ferrari driver added. 'Most sequels are way worse, and so we don't need to rush it. I think if we do do a sequel, I would say let's really, really take our time in getting it even better.' Hamilton said he was bringing F1 race-track procedures to the movie business by asking for a 'debrief' on the project, in the same way a team analyzes a race before heading to the next one. 'Let's review what we did, what we could have done better,' he said. 'I don't know if they ever do that in the movie business, but it's something obviously I've learned from here.' ___ AP auto racing:
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Lewis Hamilton warns against rushing an 'F1' movie sequel after box-office success
SILVERSTONE, England (AP) — Lewis Hamilton says he just wants to enjoy the 'F1' movie's success as he warned Thursday that rushing a sequel would be "the worst thing we probably could do." The seven-time Formula 1 champion was an executive producer on the film, which stars Brad Pitt as a hard-bitten racer making a late-career comeback. It became Apple's biggest box-office hit yet when it debuted with $55.6 million in North American theaters and $144 million globally over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. 'We literally just finished it, so I think the last thing we want right now is a sequel,' Hamilton said Thursday ahead of the British Grand Prix. 'It's been four years in the making. It was a lot of work, particularly for (director Joseph Kosinski). It's time away from your family, it's time away from your kids, and also you need this to just simmer for a while, you know. Like, let's enjoy it. 'I think the worst thing we probably could do is to rush into doing a sequel," the Ferrari driver added. "Most sequels are way worse, and so we don't need to rush it. I think if we do do a sequel, I would say let's really, really take our time in getting it even better.' Hamilton said he was bringing F1 race-track procedures to the movie business by asking for a 'debrief' on the project, in the same way a team analyzes a race before heading to the next one. 'Let's review what we did, what we could have done better,' he said. 'I don't know if they ever do that in the movie business, but it's something obviously I've learned from here.' ___
