Mercedes struggles in Monaco GP as strategy and penalties cost points

Russell and Antonelli miss out on points in the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix as Mercedes’ two-stop strategy falters amid rival tactics and a drive-through penalty.

The Monaco weekend turned into one of the most frustrating events of the season for Mercedes. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli both finished outside the points, crossing the line in 11th and 18th respectively. A new regulation requiring two mandatory pit stops added another layer of complexity on a circuit already notorious for its lack of overtaking opportunities, while rival teams’ strategies played a decisive role in shaping the race.

Starting from P14 and P15, Mercedes opted for a long first stint on the Hard compound. The strategy hinged on a potential Safety Car or red flag to gain track position without sacrificing pit time. However, no such incidents occurred, leaving the drivers trapped in traffic trains with little room to maneuver.

Adding to the team's troubles, George Russell received a drive-through penalty for overtaking Alex Albon outside track limits at the Nouvelle Chicane. Despite the setback, he managed to finish 11th after teammate Antonelli, acting on team orders, allowed him through to complete his mandatory stops without losing position.

Rival teams Williams and Racing Bulls executed team tactics that proved decisive. By having one car slow down the pack, they created space for their teammates to pit and rejoin ahead without battling traffic. These maneuvers effectively blocked Mercedes’ chances of scoring points. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff later revealed that Williams boss James Vowles had apologized for the tactics, but Wolff acknowledged that such behavior is a direct consequence of the current rule format.

Mercedes Junior Driver Noah Strømsted also had a difficult outing in Formula 3. After a strong start to the season and a promising qualifying session in Monaco, he finished 14th in the Feature Race and scored no points. Nevertheless, he remains one of the top contenders in the standings heading into the next round.

Looking ahead to Barcelona, Mercedes is preparing technical upgrades aimed at improving performance. Engineers are expected to focus heavily on car balance and tyre management. The team views the challenges of Monaco as a catalyst to bounce back and return to podium contention.

Source: mercedes-benz.com