27/05/2025 11:40
Former F1 driver Martin Brundle does not want to see Monaco dropping off the schedule despite witnessing another processional race at the venue. Monaco has long been a circuit that has failed to produce wheel-to-wheel action due to the narrow nature of the layout. Last weekend, F1 introduced a mandatory two pit-stop rule in a bid to increase the unpredictability of the show. However, with some teams backing off their pace to give their other driver a gap to pit into, the rule change failed to produce an exciting show. Monaco remains arguably the sport's most iconic circuit, and with its vast history and appeal, Brundle stated it is not feasible for it to depart the calendar. "The two-stop experiment didn't work," Brundle conceded in his column for Sky F1 . "We simply have to manage expectations for race day, do our best to slightly ease overtaking if possible, recognise that Monaco qualifying is one of the most special hours of the F1 or any sporting season, or not race there, which is not an option. "The fact is that the track layout dictates this problem, and available space for creating long straights or wide overtaking zones isn't available. "And even then, very wide tracks still only contain one racing line which is rubbered in." Martin Brundle quips 'joker' lap option for Monaco GP Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has floated the idea of setting a minimum lap time that must be met to stop teams from deploying the strategy games in play last weekend. George Russell grew frustrated following Alex Albon at slow speed during the grand prix, as the latter was gifting a gap to team-mate Carlos Sainz ahead. The Mercedes driver cut the chicane to overtake Albon and stated he would "take the time penalty", as he sought to spring away from a slow-moving Albon. Unfortunately for Russell, he was slapped with a drive-through penalty. But taking inspiration from the move, Brundle quipped: "My son Alex had an interesting, if tongue-in-cheek, solution when suggesting each driver has one joker card to play by steaming through the no-man's land at the chicane, as George Russell did, and being able to maintain that new position and get off down the road. "This would also dissuade all drivers from simply lapping too slowly. "Be in no doubt though, whatever you change in Formula 1 will have unintended consequences, it's the nature of the beast."
