Despite the star-studded group of attendees, the Monaco Grand Prix often is far from an exciting race. The nature of modern F1 cars means passing is nearly impossible in the tight, twisting corners with barriers just inches away from cars at almost every point of the Circuit de Monaco.

Since the start of 2025, the winning trophy for each Formula One event has been displayed on the grid ahead of the race start, white-gloved attendees at the ready.

Leclerc beat championship leader Oscar Piastri by 0.038 seconds in the more representative second session, with his Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton finishing third quickest.

To make the race more of a strategy contest, F1’s governing body, the FIA, required two tire changes in the hope that smartly timed pit stops would create drama.

A rule change that threatens to shake up today's race is the fact that every car has to have at least two pit stops.