Lewis Hamilton has suggested that Formula 1 needs to change the weekend format at Monaco due to lack of overtaking during the grand prix.
The narrow streets at Monaco provide very little overtaking opportunities, with the situation made much more difficult in the current era of F1, with wide, high-downforce cars.
F1 is trialling a new weekend format at three different races this year, in which a Saturday sprint race will precede Sunday’s grand prix.
While admitting he doesn’t know what the exact solution is, Hamilton has proposed that a revised weekend arrangement is needed in order to create more excitement throughout the grand prix event in Monaco.
“[There’s] almost zero opportunity to overtake in the race but it’s been the case for some time,” Hamilton said.
“In my opinion, it needs to change. We’ve had the same format for years. It’s the best venue and it is the most beautiful place we get to race at but you already know that it’s never exciting for fans.
“It’s a one-stop race with these hard, long stints that we get to do and as I said, it’s on the list of places where it’s difficult to overtake – it’s off the scale, highly unlikely you’ll get an opportunity to do so.
“I don’t think the fans enjoy that. I don’t know what the solution is but I am hoping when we are looking forwards to future generations it can be a more exciting race for people.”
Despite the traditional absence of overtaking on Sunday, Hamilton says that doesn’t take away from the glamour of driving the circuit.
“There’s the practice and just driving the track – going through the tunnel, up into the Casino – the whole experience through the weekend is mesmerizing and that never changes,” Hamilton said.
“The feeling of winning here is never any less. Every year it is unique and special if you’re lucky enough to get the opportunity.
“But as I said, as a racer, we’ve got a lot of tracks that we go to where you see racing. It’s been an exciting start to the season where you’re seeing people overtaking.
“You’re seeing the whole field closed up. You’re going to see a train naturally on Sunday.”
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