Lewis Hamilton has led calls for a major revamp of the rules specifically for Monaco – possibly with three mandatory pit stops.
The seven-time world champion, who partly lives in the principality, spoke for a disappointed cadre of drivers – and television viewers worldwide – when he said ‘people were falling asleep’ watching Sunday’s race won through tears at a tortoise’s pace by home hero Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton agreed with the sentiments of Max Verstappen, who said he should have taken a pillow with him. ‘It was non-eventful,’ said the British star, who finished seventh.
‘Everyone drove so slowly. So it didn’t matter what tyre you were on. We were driving seconds off the pace.
‘I don’t know what to say. That is for you to report. I am sure people were falling asleep.
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Lewis Hamilton has led calls for a major revamp of the rules specifically for Monaco
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Hamilton spoke for many drivers when he said ‘people were falling asleep’ watching the race
‘Our tyres can do a whole race. We have too hard tyre compounds here, so we have to find ways of spicing it up, maybe a mandatory three stops.’
The grand prix was sterilised by a first-lap crash. All drivers immediately switched tyres – the regulations demand two compounds be used in a race – and then limped half-speed to the finish an hour-and-three-quarters later, knowing overtaking was nigh-on impossible on the narrow roads.
This allowed Ferrari’s Leclerc to covert pole to his first win since 2022, in Austria.
Of the few passing chances, Verstappen said: ‘We all know what it is like in Monaco. In the last few years it has become even more difficult with the width of the cars, but it is nothing new.’
Asked if he thought the event should be ditched, the Dutchman said: ‘First, I would like to make a few little changes to Monaco because that would make it even more exciting.
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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took advantage of a first-lap crash to claim victory in his home-town
‘Overall, the weekend is really cool; it’s the Sundays that are little boring. The scenery is still great but if we could find a way to race a bit more, why not? That would be my preferred solution.’
The race is up for renewal after next year’s edition and is expected to stay on the calendar, with organisers, the Automobile Club de Monaco, and Formula One edging towards a new agreement for close to £20million.
