New rules aimed at spicing up Formula 1's Monaco Grand Prix by forcing an extra mandatory stop have been published by the FIA.
In the wake of recent discussions in the F1 Commission meeting where it was felt action needed to be taken to improve the spectacle of the Monte Carlo race, tweaks to make the event a guaranteed two-stopper have now been ratified.
Following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on Wednesday, the regulations stipulate that, for the Monaco Grand Prix only, drivers have to use at least three sets of tyres in the race.
If the race is completely dry, then there is a further demand that two different types of compound will need to be used as well.
The revised tyre rules state: "For the race in Monaco, each driver must use at least three sets of tyres of any specification…during the race and, unless they have used intermediate or wet-weather tyres during the race, each driver must use at least two different specifications of dry-weather tyres during the race, at least one of which must be a mandatory dry-weather race tyre specification as defined in Article 30.2c)ii)."
There have been some additional further tweaks to the sporting regulations too as part of a tidying up of various elements.
One of these is providing extra clarity about what happens when the race start is aborted or an extra formation lap is required.
This area of the regulations was exposed at last year's Brazilian GP when pole position starter Lando Norris triggered confusion by leading an extra formation lap after the race director wanted to abort the start because of Lance Stroll's stricken Aston Martin.
Revisions now mean that any notice of an aborted start or extra formation lap will only be signalled to drivers once the cars are back on the grid - which should help make it clear what is expected.
Another tweak to the regulations has also left the option open for drivers not to wear a driver cooling vest that is being introduced to F1.
As part of an effort by the FIA to avoid the kind of scenario that occurred at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, when drivers suffered in the extreme temperatures, a mandatory cooling system is being introduced.
While any declaration of what is known as a 'heat hazard' will still require the new cooling components to be fitted to a car, drivers can opt not to wear a cooling vest that works with this.
The regulations state: "At the start of any sprint session or race for which a heat hazard has been declared, all components of the driver cooling system must be fitted. The system must be functional and available for use by the driver, meeting the specific provisions provided in Article 14.6.1 of the technical regulations for these sessions.
"However, any driver may elect not to wear any items of personal equipment that form part of the driver cooling system. In such circumstance, all other components, including any cooling medium, of the driver cooling system must be fitted."
In order to ensure that drivers wearing the vest are not disadvantaged by carrying extra bulk in the cockpit, those that elect to not use it must carry an extra 0.5kg of ballast in the cockpit.
From the start of 2025, the FIA is also getting tougher on drivers who continue to drive around tracks despite there being heavy damage to their cars.
A new Article 26.10 of the sporting regulations now instructs drivers on what to do if there has been an impact.
"Any driver whose car has significant and obvious damage to a structural component which results in it being in a condition presenting an immediate risk of endangering the driver or others, or whose car has a significant failure or fault which means it cannot reasonably return to the pitlane without unnecessarily impeding another competitor or otherwise hindering the Competition must leave the track as soon as it is safe to do so," it states.
"At the sole discretion of the race director, should a car be deemed to have such significant and obvious damage to a structural component, or such significant failure or fault, the competitor may be instructed that the car must leave the track as soon as it is safe to do so."
