After days of mounting backlash from Formula 1 stars Max Verstappen and George Russell, the FIA has finally broken its silence and responded with a firm move — introducing a new regulation aimed at addressing the growing dissatisfaction surrounding the Monaco Grand Prix.

This year’s race saw the implementation of a controversial mandatory two-stop rule, a bid by the FIA to inject excitement into what many consider F1’s most processional circuit. But the change was met with scathing criticism from both Verstappen and Russell after the 78-lap race featured zero on-track overtakes and left fans and drivers alike deeply underwhelmed.

Verstappen didn’t hold back in his post-race comments, comparing the rule to a video game gimmick:

“You can’t race here anyway, so it doesn’t matter what you do,” Verstappen said. “One stop, 10 stops. Even at the end I was in the lead, but my tyres were completely gone, and you still can’t pass. We were almost doing Mario Kart. Then we have to install bits on the car – maybe you can throw bananas around? I don’t know, slippery surface?”

George Russell, who suffered through a frustrating race stuck behind slower cars and even incurred a penalty for a desperate overtaking attempt, echoed the disappointment and offered a radical suggestion.

“The two-stop clearly did not work at all,” Russell said. “Do we accept that there should be no race and it’s a qualifying weekend? You do one on Saturday, one on Sunday, and the guy who qualifies on pole gets some points and a little trophy. 99% of the other people in Monaco are here sipping champagne on a yacht — they don’t really care.”

Faced with such outspoken criticism from two of the grid’s top drivers, the FIA released an official statement on Tuesday confirming that a new framework will be implemented starting in 2026, while acknowledging the limitations of this year’s experiment:

“Following feedback from teams and drivers after the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, the FIA acknowledges that the mandatory two-stop strategy did not produce the intended effect,” the statement read. “We have approved a regulatory change for 2026 that will explore new qualifying formats and potential alterations to car dimensions specifically for Monaco and other street circuits.”

“We remain committed to improving the sporting spectacle while maintaining fairness and safety. The feedback from key stakeholders has been invaluable, and we are evaluating additional changes, including alternative race formats and technical adjustments tailored for narrow circuits like Monte Carlo.”

While no immediate changes will be made for the remainder of the 2025 season, the FIA’s swift action signals its willingness to adapt — and a recognition that Monaco, in its current form, may no longer fit the mold of modern Formula 1.

As the paddock turns its attention to the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen, Russell, and the rest of the grid will be hoping that this latest FIA announcement marks the beginning of a more thoughtful, collaborative approach to the sport’s future.