The Monaco GP is one of the oldest and most prestigious Grand Prix in the Formula 1 season. The 2025 F1 season is in full stride, especially with three drivers gunning for the World Championship. The Monaco GP comes at a perfect time, especially before the major rule changes in the Spanish GP.

The narrow Monaco track is one of the more challenging circuits, and a win here is the hardest of the entire season. To tackle the harsh conditions of the crown jewel of F1, teams bring track-specific updates to cope with the track’s bumpy, twisty, and narrow nature. The 2025 season has been called the qualifying season, but in Monaco, the race is won in qualifying.

The location of the Monaco GP makes it a prime location for the biggest celebrities and the tycoons of the world. Let us look into the preview and schedule for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix.

Key Storylines for the 2025 Monaco GP

1.     New Rules

The Monaco Grand Prix race is usually quite boring as it’s nearly impossible to overtake on this track. To tackle this, F1’s governing body has laid out new rules for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix. Each driver has to compulsorily make a minimum of two pit stops during the race. This decision will bring a whole different strategy to the table, similar to that we saw in the Emilia Romagna GP.

However, it may mean pure chaos for some drivers at the end of the grid. For example, drivers can pit on the first lap and then again on the second and hang out with the tires till the end. This is a similar scenario we had in the 2024 Monaco GP after a red flag in the first laps of the race.

2.     Tight Fight Atop

Oscar Piastri was on a winning streak before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Aussies’ 4 victories in the 2025 Formula 1 season led to speculations that he’ll run away with the Drivers’ Championship. However, Max’s victory in the race after Piastri claimed pole in Emilia GP qualifying was enough to get the pack closer. To top it, Norris came 2nd ahead of Piastri, cutting the lead to just 13 points and 22 to Verstappen. This puts forth a great prospect for the 2025 Monaco GP and beyond.

3.     Will Williams’ Hot Streak Continue

Williams is having their best start and arguably their best season in nearly a decade. The team currently has 51 points, placing them in 5^th place in the constructors’ championships. However, will they manage to continue this form? As things look, they’ll continue with this streak, competing with Mercedes and Ferrari in Monaco

Predictions for the 2025 Monaco GP

1.     Pole Position for the Race: Max Verstappen

Monaco is a technical circuit with grueling turns and compressed space on the track. There are a few drivers on the current grid who can go in all and claim pole for the race. Currently, Max looks like the most in-form driver, and nobody will be surprised if he claims pole in Monaco. Oscar Piastri has also been qualifying well, but on a drivers track, Max looks a more solid pick.

2.     Race Winner: Max Verstappen

In the past years, the race winner in Monaco has been decided during the qualifying session. However, things this year are different with a mandatory two-stop race. But all it takes is an incident to bring out a red flag or safety car and convert it back into a 1-stop race. So, Verstappen is more likely to win after taking pole in the race.

3.     Biggest Surprise: Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc has been performing at the top even though Ferrari hasn’t provided him with the best car. The home hero and last year’s winner ended the Monaco curse and is another driver who tends to go all in during qualifying. This can be a hit-and-miss prediction, but the fan in me believes that the Monegasque will show up this weekend. His last years victory is one of the standout, events in the F1 2024 season.

4.     Biggest Flop: Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda has had an up-and-down season with Red Bull. The Japanese driver has done wonders on Sunday but hasn’t done much during the Saturday qualifying session. In a circuit where qualifying is important, this can turn out to be a tough weekend. Furthermore, the streets of Monaco are unforgiving, and with the tricky Red Bull, things can go bad quickly.

2025 Monaco Grand Prix Schedule IST

The Monaco Grand Prix Time in India is as follows.