F1 hopes extra pit stops bring more excitement in the glamorous but dull Monaco Grand Prix
FILE - Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
FILE - Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
FILE - Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
FILE - Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
FILE - Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
The Monaco Grand Prix may be 'the jewel in Formula 1's crown' but the race itself is rarely must-see TV. Sometimes, it's downright dull.
F1 and its governing body, the FIA, hope a rule change for Sunday's race will change that. Drivers will be forced to change tires at least twice in the hope that more pit stop strategy could shake up an event where Saturday qualifying — and the resulting grid position — is often more important than race day.
Advertisement
'I guess it can go both ways," champion Max Verstappen said Thursday. "It can be quite straightforward, or it can go completely crazy because of safety cars coming into play or not making the right calls. I think it will spice it up probably a bit more.'
The change is designed to stop a repeat of last year, when a first-lap crash brought out the red flag, allowing everyone to make their one mandatory tire change.
With overtaking all but impossible on the twisty Monaco streets, the rest of the race was a procession. Home driver Charles Leclerc took the win for Ferrari and all of the top 10 finished in grid order.
How Sunday's race shakes out could depend on whether teams get creative with their strategies.
Advertisement
'Normally, with one stop, once you have a good pit stop and everything is fine, then you drive to the end and just stay focused and not hit the barrier," Verstappen said. "But maybe with a two-stop it can create something different, people gambling, guessing when the right time is to box.'
McLaren's Monaco pedigree
Monaco was once McLaren territory. It could be again.
It's the most successful team with 15 wins in Monaco, but none since Lewis Hamilton took the victory in 2008 on his way to his first championship.
Verstappen's win at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix last week tightened up a title race which was increasingly dominated by McLaren.
Advertisement
Oscar Piastri leads the standings, but now only by 13 points ahead of his teammate Lando Norris and 22 from Verstappen.
Monaco could favor McLaren because its car tends to be easier on its tires and, as Verstappen said last week, because his Red Bull dislikes low-speed corners.
Verstappen skips movie night
Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, all but two of the 20 F1 drivers were pictured at a private screening Wednesday of the upcoming movie 'F1,' starring Brad Pitt and produced by Lewis Hamilton.
Not Verstappen, though, who became a father for the first time a few weeks ago.
'I wanted to spend more private time,' said Verstappen. 'There was the opportunity to watch it, but if I watch it now or in three or four weeks, that's fine as well.'
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
McLaren's New Supercar Is an Ode to Its Historic 1995 Win at Le Mans
Thirty years ago, McLaren won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a version of its F1 in what was the automaker's first appearance at the historic race. And it's still celebrating, with a just-unveiled version of its 750S. McLaren released a special-edition version of its 720S in 2020 to honor its 1995 win at Le Mans, and the new 750S Le Mans is in a similar style. The new launch comes in Le Mans Grey or McLaren Orange, along with the buyer's choice of Carbon Black and Dove Grey interiors or Carbon Black and McLaren Orange. The five-spoke wheels are also unique, the marque says, as is the roof scoop and various Le Mans branding across the car. More from Robb Report Some of America's Top Chefs Will Be Cooking at This Year's Citymeals on Wheels' Tasting Event This $9.8 Million L.A. Home by Architect Miller Fong Has Postcard Views of the Silver Lake Reservoir Volkswagen Is Restoring the Classic Microbus That Survived the Palisades Fire Most obviously, the rear spoiler is raised for 'visual drama,' though, along with the modified carbon fiber splitter, McLaren says that downforce is increased by 10 percent more than the regular 750S. The 750S Le Mans is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine like prior 750Ss; the Spider version was Robb Report's 2025 Car of the Year. 'This exclusive 750S is the first McLaren Le Mans edition since the F1 LM to feature HDK aerodynamic enhancements and is set to become one of our most sought-after supercars, with previous Le Mans editions of the 650S and 720S commanding a premium over standard models,' Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, McLaren's chief commercial officer, said in a statement. If it seems a bit overkill to be still celebrating the 1995 Le Mans win even after prior special editions, that explains just how big of a deal it was for McLaren at the time. The 1995 win almost instantly made the F1 a legendary car, and it also gave the marque the distinction of being the only team to win the Triple Crown of Motorsports. That includes wins at the Indianapolis 500 (three times in the 1970s), Monaco (16 times), and Le Mans (once). Should you be interested in this slice of history, McLaren said it will make just 50 examples of the 750S Le Mans. It also did not reveal pricing, though it is very likely upwards of $400,000, given that the base 750S starts at around $320,000, and options quickly add to that cost. For enthusiasts of the marque and especially those who remember the 1995 win, it won't seem like of Robb Report The 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast The World's Best Superyacht Shipyards The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht Click here to read the full article.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cadillac names Tommy Hilfiger as first 2026 F1 team partner amid all-American identity
Cadillac has announced its first official partnership ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, signalling a commitment to its all-American identity with a deal with Tommy Hilfiger. The Michigan-based manufacturer has named Tommy Hilfiger its apparel partner and lifestyle sponsor in a multi-year agreement with the iconic New York fashion house - a brand with a long-standing history in F1. Advertisement 'Two icons. One vision. A bold new era of American motorsport,' Hilfiger said in a statement on Tuesday. 'We're proud to continue our Formula 1 story alongside TWG Motorsports and Cadillac. 'We share a vision to honour the heritage of F1 while pushing it forward — celebrating where we come from, and reimagining where we can go. 'As the sport's presence around the globe continues to soar, there's never been a better time to dream big, and show the world what an American team can bring to the grid.' Team principal Graeme Lowdon echoed the sentiment that Cadillac is 'an American team representing one of the most iconic American brands of all time'. Advertisement He went on: 'Tommy Hilfiger too is an American icon, and the brand's legacy in Formula 1 is unmatched. As we bring a bold new vision to the paddock, this partnership truly reflects the spirit of what we're building. 'Together, we're not only racing, but driving innovation that will shape the future of both entertainment and engineering.' The partnership will comprise official team kit worn by the drivers, pit crew, paddock staff and management, along with a fanwear collection set to drop globally next March at the beginning of the season. The company logo will also be present on the car, race suits and helmets. Hilfiger, whose lifelong passion for motorsport began near his home at the Watkins Glen circuit in New York, has sponsored F1 teams since the early 1990s. Most recently, he outfitted Mercedes, until Adidas took over at the start of 2025. Tommy Hilfiger on the grid Tommy Hilfiger on the grid Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Advertisement During the brand's seven-year partnership with the Silver Arrows, it signed Lewis Hamilton as a global ambassador, which resulted in him producing multiple collections and sitting in the front row at fashion week. Beyond the track, Tommy Hilfiger has played a visible role in growing F1's cultural footprint. The brand sponsors a car in F1 Academy and will release a special collection tied to this summer's 'F1' movie. Now, the brand aims to bring that same ethos to Cadillac's entry into F1. 'From the very beginning, entertainment and sport have been part of our brand's heritage,' Tommy Hilfiger global brand president, Lea Rytz Goldman, said. 'By doubling down in motorsport, we are excited to present a fresh expression of what's possible when fashion evolves at the speed of pop culture. This iconic partnership continues our legacy of breaking boundaries, bringing style to the grid, and driving the future of Formula 1.' Advertisement Cadillac's marketing rollout has leaned heavily into its cultural positioning as an all-American challenger in a historically Europe-centric sport. The partnership with Hilfiger seems to be setting the tone for the team's unique brand identity. 'This collaboration represents the fusion of two bold, innovative brands - where performance meets iconic style,' Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac F1, said. 'As we build a team that reflects American ambition on the global F1 stage, this partnership sets the tone for what's ahead.' To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Indianapolis to host US Olympic swimming trials again in 2028 after last year's record run
FILE - Lilly King, of the United States, competes in the women's 100-meter breaststroke semifinal at the 2024 Summer Olympics, July 28, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File) INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The 2028 U.S. Olympic swimming trials will return to Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium after drawing record-breaking crowds last year in the first event held inside a football stadium. USA Swimming officials made the announcement Tuesday in Indianapolis where this year's national championships are being held this week. Dates for the event have not yet been announced. Advertisement Organizers intend to build three temporary pools on top of the NFL's Colts' home field — a 50-meter competition pool and two warm-up pools. The Indiana Convention Center, which is connected to the stadium, will host USA Swimming's Toyota Aqua Zone. Last year, more than 285,000 fans attended the nine-day trials. That was a 60% increase over previous events. Single session records also were shattered as television ratings increased 20% from the previous team trials in 2021. Organizers estimated the event helped generate $132 million in revenue for the city. The 2024 trials also won the annual Fan Engagement Award and were a finalist for Sports Business Journal's event of the year. Indianapolis has a long and storied history with the Olympic swimming trials. The 2028 trials will mark the eighth time the city has hosted the event since 1924 when Johnny Weissmuller and Duke Kahanamoku were the stars. Advertisement Other familiar names who qualified for the U.S. Olympic teams include Amanda Beard, Janet Evans, Rowdy Gaines, Katie Ledecky, Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps, Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres. The 2028 Olympics will be held in Los Angeles and could again feature the brother-sister duo of Alex and Aaron Shackell, who swam for nearby Carmel High School. ___ AP sports:
