What is happening with the Monaco Grand Prix?

Word on the street is that some people are getting a little bored of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Whilst the setting is beautiful, the race - at least in the eyes of some fans - doesn't quite live up to it. In recent years organisers have tried to shake things up with the new mandate to pit twice during the race. In reality, though, this has just led to drivers slowing down to allow their team-mate to spring ahead, complete their pit, and re-enter the race without a single car overtaking them. It's not quite the shake up people had in mind! So, what else could happen to Monaco in the future? And if any of these scenarios did happen how would that influence team dynamics and hiring decisions for future seasons?

Will there be even MORE regulations specific to Monaco?

Whilst the mandatory two pit stops didn't quite achieve what they set out to (and, if anything had a negative impact!) there could be a way to introduce regulations that will improve the competitiveness and overall quality of the race. Max Verstappen joked that Mario Kart-esque item boxes is the only way forward, but surely there must be an additional step before bananas and turtle shells?

One radical idea that has been thrown into conversations is the concept of a 'Joker Lap'. The idea is that drivers have to take a set number of 'Joker Laps' each race which includes an additional bit of track that is harder for the drivers to navigate. Each driver will get to choose which laps they take this extra turn, but it would add another dimension to the Monaco race and increase the opportunities for overtaking which is very much needed.

This has already been implemented into World Rallycross to great effect. If this is implemented into the Monaco race, or F1 in general, we could see top talent from World Rallycross being tapped up to join teams on a very short-term contract to help with the strategy on these additional corners.

Does it even need to be a 'race' in the traditional sense?

Let's say F1 doesn't want to make a radical change to the rules of the race. Understandable. There is another suggestion to make the race more competitive and, hopefully, a better watch overall. Turn it into a time trial format. Take away the traditional racing element and make it all about the fastest lap.

Don't get me wrong, this is a controversial take, and it could take some convincing to win the fans over. But if we're being honest Monaco currently isn't a traditional race either, so a shake-up to the format could be exactly what fans might not know they want. After all, what do F1 fans want to see? Fast cars racing against each other. Currently that's not possible in the Monaco format as the cars aren't going as fast as they are on other circuits, but by spacing out the cars and putting the focus on getting the fastest lap we could see this play out in a different way.

The impact this would have on recruitment efforts wouldn't be too huge, as the focus from every team is to make the fastest car possible. Recruitment focus has already had a shift due to the rule changes coming in the 2026 season putting emphasis on reducing the weight of the chassis. Aerodynamicists are more important than ever and will be in high demand for the next few seasons at least.

Could less mean more?

The other alternative being posed is pretty simple; just return the race to what it was. F1 fans enjoy the simplicity and organic thrills that come from a standard race. Monaco has been one of the 'worst' races to watch for many years now, yet it still attracts millions of eyes across the world.

Think about the hit series 'Drive to Survive' that Netflix released. It was great to watch, and it brought F1 to heights of popularity it had never quite reached before. It wasn't overly produced, and it didn't force fake drama for the cameras; it was real, organic, and extremely entertaining. Simplicity can sometimes be key in the sport, so there's the argument for keeping Monaco exactly what it always has been. Recruitment-wise, this option would keep the focus the exact same. Bring talent in that have the knowledge and the skills to make the car faster.

Is there an answer?

If we're being honest, no one knows what the best solution is. As things stand, whilst it's arguably the most 'boring' Grand Prix in the F1 calendar, it still attracts huge audiences in person and across the world. But if any big changes do happen to this track in the future, it is sure to shake up strategy and the recruitment needs of every team on the grid - at least in the short term.

What are your thoughts on the Monaco Grand Prix? Reach out to me on adam.stackhouse@fmctalent.com, I'd love to hear about it.