Day: 19 February 2025

Formula 1 is looking at a major rule change for the Monaco Grand Prix, with plans to introduce additional mandatory pit stops in an effort to make racing more exciting on the iconic but notoriously tight street circuit.

The lack of overtaking opportunities in Monaco has long been a talking point, with recent races often feeling processional. Last year’s Grand Prix saw the top 10 finish in the exact same order they started, after an early red flag wiped out any real strategic play. The FIA is now considering a rule tweak that would require drivers to make at least two pit stops, hoping to mix up the race order and inject some unpredictability.

“With the aim of promoting better racing at the Monaco Grand Prix, the commission discussed proposals for Monaco-specific regulations,” read a statement from the FIA after an F1 Commission meeting at the Formula One Management offices in London ahead of Tuesday night’s F1 75 Launch event at the O2 Arena. “The commission agreed to increase the numbers of mandatory pit stops in the Race. These proposals will be further discussed by the Sporting Advisory Committee in the coming weeks.”

Charles Leclerc, who finally clinched victory at his home race last year, welcomed the idea, saying it could bring much-needed strategy into play. “I think it will definitely help the Sunday, especially with strategy. The excitement on Sunday is maybe a bit less than what you will hope. The Saturday is incredible but the Sunday maybe needs a little bit of spice and hopefully this will give it,” he told Sky Sports.

The discussions will continue in the coming weeks, and if the rule change is approved, Monaco’s famously processional race could see a shake-up as early as this season.

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Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre

AS Monaco’s Champions League dreams are over following a 3-3 draw against Benfica in Lisbon that sees the Principality team eliminated on aggregate.

AS Monaco’s Champions League campaign came to an end at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on Tuesday 18th February. Despite leading twice in the match and dominating for long stretches, Monaco’s 3-3 draw with Benfica was not enough to overturn a 1-0 first-leg defeat, meaning the Rouges et Blancs have been eliminated from the competition on aggregate (3-4).

Adi Hütter’s side needed a win to advance and set the pace early, creating several opportunities. However, Benfica struck first, with Kerem Aktürkoglu scoring in the 22nd minute. Monaco responded quickly through Takumi Minamino, who equalised in the 32nd minute with a sharp finish.

Eliesse Ben Seghir put Monaco ahead early in the second half, but a penalty converted by Vangelis Pavlidis brought Benfica back into contention. George Ilenikhena restored Monaco’s lead seconds after coming on as a substitute, but the advantage lasted only three minutes, as Orkun Kökçü’s deflected shot sealed the draw—and Benfica’s progression.

A mixture of pride and disappointment

Reflecting on the match, Hütter admitted frustration but noted his team’s effort.

“I would say it’s a mixture of pride and disappointment,” shared the Austrian coach post-match. “We showed a strong performance, especially with a young team, but at this level, we made too many individual mistakes to expect to go through. Benfica was also lucky in some moments.”

Hütter also dismissed suggestions that experience was the key difference.

“For me, it’s too easy to blame experience every time. We had chances, we didn’t convert them, and we conceded three goals. That’s what cost us,” he said.

Midfielder Krépin Diatta echoed the disappointment, believing Monaco deserved more from the tie.

“There is a lot of frustration because we had the opportunity to qualify,” he said. “The best team on the pitch tonight was AS Monaco, but unfortunately, that wasn’t enough.”

Maghnes Akliouche, the 22-year-old Monaco midfielder, also pointed to the team’s inefficiency in attack as a decisive factor.

“We lacked something in both penalty areas,” he said. “We needed to score more and concede less. That’s the reality of football.”

Meanwhile, AS Monaco General Manager Thiago Scuro admitted that the damage had been done in the first leg at home.

“The reality is that we lost the qualification in Monaco,” said Scuro. “Tonight, we showed that AS Monaco is strong and deserved its place in this competition, but in the end, the first-leg defeat cost us.”

With their European campaign over, Monaco must now turn their attention back to Ligue 1, where they aim to secure a Top 3 finish and a return to the Champions League next season. Their next match is on Saturday 22nd February against Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, followed by a home fixture against Reims at the Stade Louis II on Friday 28th February.

“We have to bounce back immediately,” Diatta said. “The season isn’t over, and we want to be back in this competition next year.”

Read related:

Football: Refereeing controversy as history repeats itself in Monaco defeat to Benfica

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photos source: AS Monaco