Monaco: Controversial two-stop rule remains for F1 2026

Lando Norris won the Monaco Grand Prix this year. The controversial rule that mandated a two-stop race at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix has been maintained in the latest version of the 2026 sporting regulations. This rule was introduced this year with the aim of giving more excitement to the street race, which has become increasingly processional over the years. However, it didn’t offer much additional action in terms of overtaking and caused teams to adopt strategies that involved one of their two drivers significantly reducing speed to hold back a group of pursuing cars, while their teammate, who was ahead, could create a gap and make a pit stop without losing positions. The ruling divided opinion after the race. George Russell, Mercedes driver, who chose to cut a corner to overtake Alex Albon, while the Williams driver was trying to hold him off, said that a different solution was needed.

We definitely need to really think about what the solution is here in Monaco. I appreciate that something was tried this year with the two stops, but it’s clear that it didn’t work at all.

George Russell, Mercedes driver

In the latest edition of the 2026 sporting regulations, published by the FIA on Friday, the rule -article 6.36, which requires each driver to use at least three sets of tires in the Monaco Grand Prix- remains in effect. Asked about the inclusion of the rule in the 2026 regulations, Williams team principal James Vowles said that asking his drivers to slow down and hold up their rivals was one of the most uncomfortable decisions he has had to make from the pit wall.

To be clear, we weren’t the first to do it [in the race]. I had to do it in reaction to the field, and I didn’t like it.

James Vowles, Williams team principal

It’s the most uncomfortable I’ve felt. I like to go out and fight for points by merit, instead of having to rig the system to achieve it.

James Vowles, Williams team principal

Vowles added that the inclusion of the rule in the 2026 regulations had not been discussed in the F1 Commission, in which the ten teams participate, and that he planned to raise it in a meeting with the FIA’s single-seater director, Nikolas Tombazis, on Saturday.