Friday, May 21, 2021
“Never exciting for the fans”
Hamilton attacks Monaco boredom
Formula 1 drivers love the Monaco Grand Prix. Nowhere else do they have such narrow streets and curves. But overtaking is almost impossible. It’s boring for the fans, long-term world champion Lewis Hamilton is certain. And want to do something about it.
Lewis Hamilton suggested changes to the Formula 1 classic in Monte Carlo for the benefit of the audience. “It’s the best venue. It’s the most beautiful place where we race. But you know beforehand that it will never be exciting for the fans,” said the 36-year-old Mercedes driver before the Monaco Grand Prix this sunday (3 p.m. / Sky and in the ntv.de live ticker).
Since the cars are now even wider and larger, overtaking on the narrow street circuit with 19 bends is practically impossible over a distance of just 3.337 kilometers. “I don’t think the fans enjoy it,” said Hamilton. “It has been going on for years and I think we have to change that.”
In addition, the strategy usually comes down to a one-stopper with just one tire change. This also significantly limits the tactical options.
Whoever has pole has victory
The preliminary decision about victory in the race is usually made in the qualification on Saturday. In eight of the last eleven races in the Principality, the pole-runner also won the race. Only once during this period did the eventual winner not start from the front row, but rather third directly behind them (2015).
Tension often only arises when a driver makes a mistake. On the narrow course, these are often punished with premature termination. An experience that Mick Schumacher also had to make in a Formula 1 car on his first day of training in Monte Carlo. “Now I know the limit and know how far I can go,” said the 23-year-old after hitting the guardrails with his Haas on Thursday so that he ultimately had to park his car.
Hamilton does not know what a solution for more overtaking opportunities or more tension could look like from the fans’ point of view in the race in Monaco. “But I hope it will be more exciting for people to come in generations to come,” he said.
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