Max Verstappen and George Russell have criticized Formula 1’s latest effort to bring more action to the Monaco Grand Prix. The two drivers voiced frustration after the race on Sunday, saying the new rule requiring two pit stops failed to improve racing at the historic street circuit. The Grand Prix ended with no real overtakes and little excitement on track.
The rule was meant to force teams to try different strategies. But instead of adding drama, it only highlighted the problems of racing in Monaco’s narrow streets. Verstappen, who finished fourth, and Russell, who earned a penalty for an illegal overtake, both said the changes didn’t help.
Verstappen said, “I get it, but I don’t think it worked. You can’t race here anyway, so it doesn’t matter what you do. One stop, 10 stops—still no overtaking.” The Red Bull driver joked that the race felt like a video game, saying, “We were almost doing Mario Kart. Maybe we should add banana peels or a slippery surface.”
Verstappen’s comments show how little drivers can do in Monaco when the cars are too big for the track. Modern F1 cars are wide and heavy, making it almost impossible to pass on the tight roads. Even with worn tyres, Verstappen said no one could overtake him.
George Russell had similar thoughts. He started far back on the grid after a problem in qualifying. During the race, he ended up behind slower cars and had no way to get past them. Russell even made an illegal move at the Nouvelle Chicane, which earned him a penalty.
He told reporters, “The two-stop clearly didn’t work. Let’s just admit qualifying is the best part of the weekend. Maybe we do one qualifying on Saturday, one on Sunday, hand out a few points and a little trophy.” Russell said fans and drivers enjoy the time trials more than the race itself.
He also criticized the event’s focus. “99% of the people in Monaco are sipping champagne on a yacht—they don’t really care,” Russell said.
The Monaco Grand Prix has long been a symbol of Formula 1’s history and glamour. But it has also become a race known for little passing and few surprises. Despite changes to strategy rules, this year’s event was another slow parade with no major on-track battles.
F1 hoped that by forcing teams to make two stops, they could shake up the order. But front-runners made their stops without issue. Cars stayed in position, and the top drivers were never truly challenged.
This has raised questions about whether Monaco should keep its place on the calendar. The streets of Monte Carlo are beautiful, but they no longer suit today’s racing style. Cars need space to fight, and Monaco doesn’t offer that. As a result, many fans are left watching a race where little happens after the first lap.
Some in the sport have suggested major changes. One idea is to keep Monaco as a special event, but not count it toward the championship. Others believe the track could be changed, but that might ruin its classic charm.
Verstappen and Russell are not alone in their views. Other drivers have also said in the past that the race feels more like a show than a sport. While Monaco still brings in big crowds and media attention, the lack of action on track makes it harder to justify its place in the modern Formula 1 calendar.
For now, the win went to McLaren’s Lando Norris, who led from start to finish. He held off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. Verstappen finished fourth, while Lewis Hamilton took fifth for Ferrari. Despite the result, the focus after the race was on what didn’t happen—real racing.
The debate over Monaco’s future is far from over. With drivers calling for change and fans asking for more action, Formula 1 may need to rethink how it approaches its most famous race. Until then, the Grand Prix in Monte Carlo remains a race with great history, but little thrill.