In form over one lap, Gasly can aim for points in Monaco

Outside the points at Imola last week during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Pierre Gasly had managed to get into Q3. A tenth place on the grid that he could perhaps have converted into an entry into the points if it hadn't been for an exit into the gravel at the very beginning of the race. If the blue and pink machine has more difficulties in race pace, the perfect circuit to capitalize on its strengths arrives: Monaco.

On the streets of the Principality, it's customary to say that 90% of the Grand Prix (or even more) is decided on Saturday, in qualifying. It's true that with ever-longer single-seaters, and whose width now reaches two meters (it will be reduced by twenty centimeters in 2026), overtaking in Monaco, already difficult for decades, is now almost impossible. Thus, even with a slower pace, it is easier to keep a group of cars behind you than on other tracks.

It is therefore logical that Gasly would primarily aim for tenth place on Saturday as his weekend goal. Qualifying in Q3 would significantly increase his chances of scoring points on Sunday: “I had a good feeling in the car on one particular lap (at Imola) and we know that’s very important in Monaco. It’s always a unique and special event. As a driver, you have to be absolutely perfect on every lap, which makes it one of the toughest events of the year. During all the free practice sessions, we will gain confidence and push progressively before qualifying, which is extremely important. Our goal is to be in the top 10, which will put us in a better position to score points in Sunday’s race.”

Will the two mandatory stops change the situation?

While Saturday's results regularly determine those of the following day in Monaco, a new feature will appear for this 2025 meeting on the Rock. Indeed, it has been decided that unlike the other rounds of the championship, the Monaco event will feature two mandatory pit stops, and the changing of at least three sets of tires instead of two previously. This is intended to make the race more unpredictable, especially after the 2024 edition. Following a red flag on the first lap of the race, the entire field changed tires and almost everyone did not need to stop thereafter.

“Monaco is usually a one-stop race, but this year there will be two mandatory stops and we will have to use a third set of tires. We hope this variation in strategy will make the race more exciting for all the spectators and give us the opportunity to get ahead of our rivals. But in Monaco, you can't predict anything; the car is in such a unique configuration compared to any other circuit, so we hope this will work in our favor. I can't wait to get out on track on Friday and get the weekend going.”

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