2025 Formula One Race Preview - Monaco Grand Prix: Can Leclerc earn back-to-back wins at his home track? May 22, 2025 by Marc Jerbs

The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix is set to unfold on Sunday, May 25 at 2:00 PM BST, promising a thrilling and strategic spectacle through the narrow, storied streets of Monte Carlo. The legendary Circuit de Monaco is famed for its tight corners, minimal overtaking opportunities, and its demand for absolute driver precision.

The Circuit and New Race Format

As one of Formula 1's most iconic and technically demanding circuits, the 3.337-kilometer layout winds through 78 laps, totaling approximately 260 kilometers. With barely any room for error, drivers must rely on pinpoint accuracy and strong qualifying performance—historically, grid position is everything here.

This year, however, a major change could shake up the traditional Monaco formula: a mandatory two-stop pit strategy. Drivers are now required to use at least two different tyre compounds and complete two pit stops. The rule is designed to increase race unpredictability and create more overtaking opportunities through strategic variation, addressing past concerns about processional races.

Key Challenges and Circuit Highlights

From the tight Sainte-Dévote corner to the iconic Fairmont Hairpin and the rapid tunnel section leading to the Nouvelle Chicane, Monaco tests every aspect of driver skill. The track's mix of extremely slow and moderately quick sections places less emphasis on raw engine power and more on car control and finesse.

Qualifying remains the most crucial session of the weekend—32 of the past 37 winners have started from pole. With just one DRS zone on the start-finish straight, gaining positions during the race is notoriously difficult. However, the new two-stop requirement could open strategic windows that reward creative thinking and split-second decisions.

Monaco Grand Prix Sports Bet Odds

Oscar Piastri and McLaren are favorites to win the Grand Prix de Monaco. Here are our latest odds:

• Oscar Piastri is favored to win outright at 2.87 followed by Lando Norris and defending champion Leclerc at 3.25 and 7.00, respectively.
• McLaren is favored as the winning car at 1.61 followed by Red Bull and Ferrari at 4.00 and 5.50, respectively.
• Piastri is also favored to win the fastest lap at 2.75 followed by Norris and Leclerc at 3.75 and 6.00, respectively.

Title Fight and Teams to Watch

The championship battle is heating up, led by McLaren's dynamic duo, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Both have shown strong form and consistency, with McLaren currently topping the constructors' standings. Max Verstappen of Red Bull remains a major threat, showcasing impressive pace in both qualifying and race conditions.

Ferrari's Leclerc, last year's Monaco victor and the only Monégasque to ever win at home, will be especially motivated to repeat the feat. Ferrari continues to work on translating qualifying speed into race results and will hope for a strong weekend on Leclerc's home turf.

Midfield Movers and Potential Surprises

Williams have made notable progress, with Alex Albon frequently in the points and targeting another solid result in Monaco. Both Haas and Sauber acknowledge the circuit's unique demands and believe the two-stop format could provide a rare opportunity to disrupt the usual order.

Weather Outlook

Race day is expected to bring mild spring weather—partly cloudy skies and temperatures around 18°C—typical of Monaco's Mediterranean climate. These conditions should ensure stable track temperatures, aiding tyre performance and strategy execution.

Final Thoughts

With a tightly contested title race, a fresh strategic twist, and the glamour and challenge of one of F1's most prestigious venues, the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix is poised to deliver high drama. While qualifying will still play a decisive role, the enforced two-stop rule introduces a layer of unpredictability that could lead to one of the most dynamic Monaco races in years. Fans around the globe can expect a true showcase of Formula 1 excellence on the streets of Monte Carlo.

2025 Formula One Driver Standings

#	DRIVER	NATIONALITY	CAR	POINTS
1	Oscar Piastri	AUS	McLaren Mercedes	146
2	Lando Norris	GBR	McLaren Mercedes	133
3	Max Verstappen	NED	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	124
4	George Russell	GBR	Mercedes	99
5	Charles Leclerc	MON	Ferrari	61
6	Lewis Hamilton	GBR	Ferrari	53
7	Kimi Antonelli	ITA	Mercedes	48
8	Alexander Albon	THA	Williams Mercedes	40
9	Esteban Ocon	FRA	Haas Ferrari	14
10	Lance Stroll	CAN	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	14
11	Carlos Sainz	ESP	Williams Mercedes	11
12	Yuki Tsunoda	JPN	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	10
13	Pierre Gasly	FRA	Alpine Renault	7
14	Isack Hadjar	FRA	Racing Bulls Honda RBPT	7
15	Nico Hulkenberg	GER	Kick Sauber Ferrari	6
16	Oliver Bearman	GBR	Haas Ferrari	6
17	Fernando Alonso	ESP	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	0
18	Liam Lawson	NZL	Racing Bulls Honda RBPT	0
19	Jack Doohan	AUS	Alpine Renault	0
20	Gabriel Bortoleto	BRA	Kick Sauber Ferrari	0
21	Franco Colapinto	ARG	Alpine Renault	0