The 2025 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix

After the drama in Imola, F1 is cruising over to one of the most legendary and glamorous spots on the calendar – Monaco. The yachts, the palace, the walls you can almost touch from the cockpit… it’s always a vibe. And this year, it might just bring even more chaos than usual.

But before we dive into the storylines, here are a few quick Monaco facts to show off at your next F1 watch party:

• When was the track built? Not quite a “track” – Monaco became a Genoese colony in 1215, and the layout of the city streets eventually became the circuit.
• First ever Grand Prix? 1929 – dreamed up by cigarette magnate Antony Noghès and his pals at the Automobile Club de Monaco.
• Part of F1 since? 1950, and it’s been a permanent fixture since 1955.
• What’s it like to race there? Wildly narrow and incredibly iconic. Nelson Piquet once said racing in Monaco is like “riding a bicycle around your living room.” In 2003, there were literally zero overtakes. Still, every driver loves the challenge.

The Title Race Is Getting Spicy

After Miami, it looked like McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were running away with it. They were miles ahead of the pack. But then Imola happened. Max Verstappen showed up with a car that finally had race pace to match his qualifying speed, and on the start he pulled a slick move on Piastri at Tamburello, took the lead, and never looked back. Meanwhile, Piastri’s team mate Norris managed to chip three points off Piastri’s lead.

Here’s where we stand now: Piastri still leads the drivers’ championship with his team mate Norris only 13 points behind him. Max Verstappen is 22 points behind, and that’s less than single race win.

Red Bull’s form has been a bit up and down lately, but with Max consistently banking solid points, he’s proving he’s still very much in the mix for the title.

Ferrari: Finally Some Good News

Let’s be real, Ferrari have made things tough for themselves this season. But Imola gave the Tifosi a reason to smile. After a forgettable race in Miami and a poor qualifying session at Imola (both cars out in Q2!), Ferrari bounced back hard in the race.

Both drivers worked their way into the top six on a track that’s brutal for overtaking. Charles Leclerc already has a podium under his belt, and Lewis Hamilton nearly grabbed one too (he’s been solid in the Sprints).

He finished just 1.4 seconds behind Piastri on Sunday and seems to be finally syncing with the car. Hamilton’s even talking about “synergy” with the setup. which is something that’s been missing all year.

Monaco’s a very different beast, but if Imola was any indication, Ferrari might just have some fight left in them.

Williams Are Flying Under the Radar

Williams are on a roll! And I’m so glad for them. First, they shocked everyone in Miami with both cars in the points, securing a P5 for Alex Albon and a P9 for Carlos Sainz. Then they backed it up in Imola with another double points finish and Alex Albon was seriously in the podium conversation before finishing P5 (again).

Carlos Sainz looked strong too but was undone by damage in Miami and strategy in Imola. Team Principal James Vowles said they were actually a bit disappointed not to score more than fifth and eighth, which says a lot about how far they’ve come.

Vowles said hey’re feeling good heading into Monaco too. The Williams team principle sees “huge potential” there. Williams have been building for the future, but if this early-season momentum keeps up, they might be mixing it with the big boys sooner than expected.

Monaco Magic Never Gets Old

Let’s be honest – no matter how many races F1 adds, Monaco is still the crown jewel. Yes, it’s tight. Yes, overtaking is nearly impossible. But seeing F1 cars thread the needle through those historic streets? Still one of the most breathtaking sights in motorsport.

It’s all about driver skill here. Qualifying is king. You’ll see plenty of drivers kiss the barriers or give them a gentle love tap, and maybe a few who hit a little too hard. And with iconic corners like Ste Devote, Mirabeau, and Tabac, there’s drama around every turn.

Plus, the scenery is unbeatable: a racetrack wrapped around a harbor, a palace on a cliff, and yachts so big they probably have their own race engineers.

New Rule Alert: Two Pit Stops Required!

This is the big twist for 2025 Monaco: everyone has to make two pit stops.

Why does that matter? Because in recent years, drivers have been able to coast through Monaco managing tyres and waiting forever to pit – often making only one stop when a gap opened up. It made strategy… kind of boring.

Now, with this change:

• Every car has to use three different tyre sets.
• The rule about using at least two different compounds still stands.
• Teams will have to find two perfect gaps in traffic to pit into.
• And yes – that doubles the risk of a slow stop ruining your race.

The idea is to shake things up, force the leaders to push harder, and hopefully stretch the field early. Whether it works or not? We’ll find out this weekend.

Get ready – this weekend in Monaco could be more than just a parade through the streets.