Unknowns of Monaco rule change creates opportunities for Lawson

Firmly siding with merit over luck, Liam Lawson is bracing for one of Formula 1’s most demanding weekends, as precision, execution and a new mandatory two-stop rule take centre stage around the unforgiving streets of Monaco.

Racing Bulls’ home race was one of mixed results at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with Isack Hadjar managing to reward the grandstands filled with team members from the Faenza-based factory with a solid points-finish while Lawson struggled to find his groove.

Arriving on the streets of Monte Carlo for this weekend’s event, the Circuit de Monaco itself isn’t entirely unfamiliar to Lawson, who raced here while competing in Formula 2, however, factor in the leap to Formula 1 machinery, and the challenge becomes a whole new beast.

In the first F2 Sprint of the 2021 outing, Lawson took the chequered flag just two seconds shy of the points-paying positions, with the driver ahead none other than current F1 championship leader Oscar Piastri.

The second Monaco F2 Sprint was a standout drive for the Kiwi who crossed the line in first place, however, he was later disqualified for using the wrong throttle map at the start, breaching Technical Regulations 3.6.5, before finishing Sunday’s Feature Race in P7.

The following year, the Kiwi ended the Sprint in P8 earning himself one singular point which would become his only reward from a promising weekend after suffering a mechanical failure on Lap 36.

Putting the highs and lows of his F2 tenure behind him, an overwhelming feeling of excitement exuded from the #30 as he spoke with the media on Thursday.

“I mean, it’s just a cool opportunity to do my first Monaco Grand Prix,” Lawson said.

“It’s a track that’s, obviously, completely different to what we race on normally so, for sure, there’s new opportunities coming from that.

“And it’s, obviously, very important to use our practice time, especially for me who hasn’t… I haven’t been here for a few years actually racing and, obviously, for the first time in an actual F1 car.”

Speaking on his preparations, the Racing Bulls driver added: “We’ve [spent some time in the simulator] but honestly, around here, I don’t think that’s going to be a close enough comparison.”

“I think the feeling of driving here, being up against the wall, the bumps, the character of this place — it’ll be something I learn in practice.”

A fourteenth-place finish was all the Kiwi could accomplish in Italy, however, this weekend, teams, drivers and fans alike can expect the unexpected with the FIA’s mandated rule change throwing a spanner in the works.

Under the revised regulations for the Monaco GP, all drivers must now complete at least two pitstops during the race, meaning they must run a minimum of three different tyre sets across at least two compounds, all with the aim of shaking up strategy at a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult.

The FIA’s new two-stop mandate adds yet another layer of complexity to an already uncharted challenge — one that could either open the door to a breakout result or punish even the smallest misstep.

“[The two-stop strategy is] opportunity, it’s allowing for the opportunity of something to happen and to create some action,” Lawson said.

“It’s a track that, especially now with, you know, the tyres are in quite a good window — they’re lasting, you know, a very long time — and I think, especially around here where it’s low energy compared to most tracks, the tyre lasts. 

“Because it’s so difficult to overtake, a one-stop is going to be very straightforward so I think it allows opportunity.

“Honestly, none of us know what it’s going to do.

“We’re going to, obviously, plan it out the best we can, but truthfully, it’s an unknown and, I guess, in that itself it’s going to be some opportunity.”

One of six rookies gracing the unforgiving street circuit for the first time in F1 machinery, Lawson also sits as one of four current drivers yet to finish within the points after the first seven races of the season.

Flying by the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo when the F1 action gets underway, the Kiwi will be gambling all weekend as he strives to get his name on that points-scorers list in 2025, however, Lawson says it will be done on merit as opposed to luck.

“In some ways, you need [luck] in Formula 1 — I struggle to believe in it,” Lawson said.

“I mean, Formula 1, it’s just a sport that has a huge amount of variables.

“It’s not like other sports where it’s down to just the players and their racket or club or whatever they’re doing, you know, it’s a big team sport.

“There’s other drivers, other teams, there’s weather, reliability — there’s so many things that come into it to have a good race or a successful season.

“It’s uh… I guess you do need luck.”

With his excitement outlaying any nerves this weekend, Lawson will commence his Monaco Grand Prix campaign with FP1 at 21:30 AEST tonight, followed by FP2 at 01:00 AEST.

Image: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.

2025 Monaco Grand Prix Schedule (AEST):

Friday, May 23:

FP1: 21:30 – 22:30

Saturday, May 24:

FP2: 01:00 – 02:00

FP3: 20:30 – 21:30

Sunday, May 25:

Quali: 00:00 – 01:00

Race: 23:00

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