Lewis Hamilton thinks F1 should find a new formula for Monaco
Lewis Hamilton suggests that Formula 1 should try to find an experimental format for the Monaco Grand Prix to avoid boring Sunday races.
The iconic Monte-Carlo circuit will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2029 and, despite annual complaints about its cramped facilities and anachronistic character, the track remains a favorite among drivers. The Saturday qualifying session, which sets the tone for the rest of the weekend, is highly regarded for offering a unique driving experience not found elsewhere on the 24-race calendar. However, with overtaking nearly impossible and minimal strategic options, drivers have been thinking of ways to improve the spectacle on Sunday.
« Monaco remains Monaco, it hasn’t really changed much,” replied Lewis Hamilton when asked what he would change to help preserve the future relevance of the event on the calendar. « Cars are getting bigger and you can’t really overtake in the pits without taking a huge risk of collision. I would like the roads to be wider and the track to be expanded, but I don’t think that will ever happen in Monaco because it’s just a small place.”
The Mercedes driver, a double winner in Monaco, suggested: “Maybe having special tires for this race to have more pit stops, which would create more variability. They can certainly propose a specific weekend, you have the sprint weekend that they added, but this particular weekend, I think they should find a new formula for it rather than staying the same. Don’t you fall asleep on Sunday while watching the race? Yes, so create something else somehow, I don’t know how.”
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari driver, shares the opinion of the Briton, he declares that nobody will ever beat Monaco as an event, but acknowledged the need to spice up race day. “I want to push a little, in the sense that if there is an opportunity to create a place to overtake around Monaco, look at the city, look at the layout, and make an effort to make it happen,” said the Spaniard.
This would make the Monaco track even better, so we would all be even more excited for Sunday, rather than knowing that nothing is happening on Sunday. Knowing that Monaco is the best and will always be the best in this sense, in terms of glamour, I would not underestimate the changes that Imola, Monaco, this kind of circuit can make for the future.
