Lando Norris anticipates a strategic shake-up in Monaco, citing mandatory two-stop rule as a game-changer for the Formula 1 grid.
Norris is expecting a tough race on Sunday in Monaco, following the FIA’s decision to mandate two pit stops in order to spice up the show. This could significantly benefit teams at the back of the grid, who will be able to take strategic risks that front-running teams might avoid, as their drivers will not want to get stuck in traffic.
Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls’ team principal, revealed on Friday that the mandatory stops increase strategic possibilities by a factor of 128! Norris hasn’t given it much thought yet, but he believes it could pave the way for an unexpected winner to emerge.
“Honestly, I haven’t thought too much about it,” said the Briton. “We’ve only just been introduced to the topic. Obviously, at the moment, the team is a bit more up to speed on what’s needed than I am right now. It’s not something I need to think about too much. It’s going to be a complicated race, for sure.”
Opportunity in Uncertain Strategy
“It’s not as simple as just stopping twice. Yes, it’s an opportunity. I think that’s the most important thing—that there’s an opportunity for everyone. I think everyone has a better chance, so it’s easier to get a surprise winner this weekend, which is both good and bad.”
“If you’re at the front, it’s not something you want, but if you’re a bit further back, it’s a dream opportunity. So yes, ‘opportunity’ is probably the best way to put it.”
Like other drivers yesterday, Norris confirms it’s impossible to plan a specific strategy without knowing his starting position: “You first need to wait and see where you qualify. He can think whatever he wants, but he’ll have to rethink everything based on his grid position. For me, it’s an unnecessary concern.”
“We’ve just gone through things and we know what we’d like to try and plan in a perfect race. But you don’t know whether the gaps will grow, shrink, whether people will save their tyres, whether they won’t, etc. So it’s not something I need to think about.”
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