Lewis Hamilton: Monaco Grand Prix 'wasn't really racing'
Mercedes Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton feels the Monaco Grand Prix "wasn't really racing", with the leading cars forced to keep to a slow pace for most of the 78-lap event
The introduction of the new hypersoft compound meant tyre management was critical for the lead group in Monaco, but with track position crucial and overtaking opportunities scarce at the street circuit, all five frontrunners stuck to a one-stop strategy.
Hamilton stopped as early as lap 12 and had to manage a set of ultrasofts for the remaining 66 laps.
Despite repeatedly warning his team that wasn't convinced the tyres would last to the end, he finally brought the car home in third, 17 seconds behind race winner Daniel Ricciardo.
"We were just cruising around from lap six, maybe," Hamilton said. "Literally cruising. So it wasn't really racing.
"Daniel did a great job today, so super happy for him, but ultimately we were all turned down and just cruising around, making sure we get to the end.
"I don't know if that was exciting for you guys to watch. If it is, no problem."
Ricciardo, who was nursing an MGU-K issue for most of the race, admitted the circuit layout allowed him to get away with maintaining a slow pace out front.
"Because it's a tight circuit, you're able to take the piss a little bit with going slow," he said.
"There were times when I was really cruising, but the circuit allows you to do that, because it's hard to overtake."
The hypersoft compound will be used again at Formula 1's next race, the Canadian Grand Prix, and Ricciardo is confident the Montreal circuit will not produce the same sort of conservative racing.
"I don't think we'll be able to maintain that kind of rhythm in a circuit like Montreal," he said.
"I think that's more circuit-dependent, but I'm glad they're bringing the hypersofts again.
"When we pitted early, I thought maybe it was looking like even a two-stop race, but honestly we could control the pace.
"But as I said, on a different circuit, today would've probably been a two-stop."
Previous article
Red Bull says Daniel Ricciardo lost 25% power with Monaco F1 problem
Next article
Fernando Alonso says Monaco was 'probably the most boring race ever'
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Lewis Hamilton |
| Author | Scott Mitchell |
Why Bottas feels the time has come to be “more selfish”
We’ve seen five distinct versions of Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes as he’s tried to fulfil his own ambitions while being a consummate team player – two difficult, competing missions which have been challenging to reconcile. Speaking exclusively to STUART CODLING, Bottas explains his highs and lows… and why he still believes he can be world champion
Does Aston have a case in F1 2021’s big technical row?
Aston Martin claims Formula 1’s latest technical tweaks have cost it competitiveness – and that it’s the innocent victim of a regulatory stitch-up aimed at pegging back Mercedes. But is any of this actually true? It depends on who you ask, says STUART CODLING
How long can F1 2021's brewing title battle stay clean?
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been evenly matched so far in the 2021 Formula 1 title race. Neither has been afraid to get aggressive against each other on track, teeing up an enthralling contest as the year unwinds. But is their rivalry destined to end in broken shards of carbon fibre?
What the Spain result tells F1 about the next phase of the Mercedes/Red Bull title fight
OPINION: Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have recovered from their pre-season woes to take three wins from the opening four races of 2021. But each time Red Bull and Max Verstappen have pushed them hard. So, what clues did the latest round of that battle – the Spanish Grand Prix – tease about the next stage of the season?
How Brabham’s one-hit wonder was boxed into a corner
The Brabham BT46B raced once, won once, then vanished – or did it? STUART CODLING reveals the story of the car which was never actually banned…
The changes Barcelona needs to provide a modern-day F1 spectacle
Formula 1’s visits to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya over recent years have been met with familiar criticisms despite tweaks here and there to the track to improve racing. With the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix largely going the same way, proper solutions need to be followed to achieve F1’s wider targets
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Often described as Formula 1's laboratory, the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona gave the clearest demonstration yet of the pecking order in 2021. And it's the key discrepancies from that order which illuminate who is excelling, and who needs to hit the reset button
How Red Bull’s deja vu set Hamilton on the winning path in Spain
An aggressive first corner move from Max Verstappen appeared to have set the Red Bull driver on course for victory in the Spanish Grand Prix. But canny strategy from Mercedes - combined with the absence of Red Bull's number two from the lead group - allowed Lewis Hamilton to pull off a demoralising reversal
