Lewis Hamilton is looking to avoid a repeat of his Monaco qualifying defeat last season, when team-mate Nico Rosberg opted to run before Hamilton and, following a mistake at Mirabeau, secured pole position.
The Mercedes duo take it in turns to decide who runs first and second in qualifying. Going last is often more beneficial given the track conditions improve over time.
However Rosberg, whose choice it was, chose to run first in Monaco. His first lap was good enough to secure him provisional pole, but both he and Hamilton had time for a final flying lap.
When it was time to start their final laps, Rosberg locked his brakes and took to the escape road at Mirabeau, forcing Hamilton, who at the time was up on the pole time, to back off because of the waved yellow flags.
The two-time champion accused Rosberg of purposefully going off to ensure he was on pole – a claim Rosberg denies and one the FIA sided with following an investigation.
Hamilton is keen to avoid a similar scene and says he’ll choose to run first this year as he looks to secure his first Monaco win for Mercedes.
“I don’t look at it as unfinished business – the last two years I have had the car to win,” he said.
“The first year I struggled with it, last year I had the pace but other things were up against me and this year hopefully will be different – third time lucky.
“This year I will have the choice to go ahead of him [Rosberg, in qualifying] so I will make sure I do that,” he stated.
“For me I’m not worried about last year, I’m just going there to win,” he continued. “I haven’t won there in a long time so I’m going to work hard to get the balance right.”
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