diff --git a/.github/mergify.yml b/.github/mergify.yml
index df570504a..6b08c877f 100644
--- a/.github/mergify.yml
+++ b/.github/mergify.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ pull_request_rules:
     actions:
       merge:
         method: squash
-        strict: true
+        strict: smart+fasttrack
         commit_message: title+body
   - name: backport patches to v0.34.x branch
     conditions: