FIA controversy as the two-stop rule for Monaco is officially confirmed.

      A cloud of controversy arose from Wednesday’s World Motor Sport Council meeting, where the FIA approved mandatory two-stop strategies for the 2025 Monaco GP. In their statement, the FIA indicated that this requirement for each driver to utilize at least three sets of tires during the typically processional race aims to enhance "the sporting spectacle."

      Red Bull team principal Christian Horner remarked, "It’s a little artificial, but it does introduce another dynamic and a chance for Monaco to avoid the often stagnant and tedious races."

      However, the 'artificial' regulation was not the main source of controversy from the World Motor Sport Council meeting; that distinction was typically reserved for FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Amid speculation that the contentious figure may face opposition in the FIA presidential elections later this year, two officials chose not to attend the meeting after refusing to sign non-disclosure agreements.

      Reports indicate that Ben Sulayem is attempting to halt media leaks, yet FIA deputy president for motorsport Robert Reid and UK representative David Richards outright declined to sign and, as a result, were excluded from the meeting.

      Recent rumors suggest this situation might violate the FIA’s own statutes, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the decisions regarding Monaco. An FIA spokesperson minimized the issue, stating, "It is standard procedure in all organizations for confidentiality agreements to be signed to safeguard our interests as a regulatory body." The spokesperson also noted that the measure received "overwhelming support" from other members of the World Motor Sport Council.