Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo engage in a conversation about Monaco.
Monaco may be the jewel of the F1 crown but it can also be a procession with Lewis Hamilton proposing a “special” Monaco GP tyre that would force more pit stops to spice up the show.
The 81st edition of Formula 1 will make a comeback to the iconic streets of Monte Carlo this weekend, serving as the eighth round of the F1 2024 championship.
‘You guys might fall asleep on Sunday during the race’
Additional reporting by Sam Cooper
However, while there are many fans eagerly anticipating the race, there are also those who fear it may turn out to be a boring event due to the narrow and twisting nature of the street circuit.
The race last year witnessed a total of 22 overtakes, marking the highest number since 2011. This is especially noteworthy considering that the track is not well-suited for the modern Formula 1 cars, particularly the current generation which are approximately 5.5m long.
The question it raises is, how can the Monaco Grand Prix be made more exciting?
“Monaco hasn’t really changed much, the cars are getting bigger and there is a huge risk of colliding,” Lewis Hamilton told media including PlanetF1.com.
I hope for larger roads and a wider track, but given the limited size of this place, I doubt such improvements will ever happen.
“The race remains consistently similar as it is a one-stop race. However, introducing specialized tires for this event could increase the number of pit stops and enhance variability.”
“They should definitely choose a specific weekend for this particular event and devise a fresh formula for it instead of it being repetitive.”
“You might doze off during the race on Sunday, so let’s come up with an alternative plan.”
For more on the race dubbed the ‘Jewel of the F1 crown’
Five big Monaco GP questions: the biggest qualifying battle in years and risk of rain?
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Daniel Ricciardo proposes three-day time trial
Daniel Ricciardo proposed an interesting way to create that something else by changing the qualifying format.
The winner of the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix proposes the idea of a “three-day time trial,” allowing drivers to utilize the track for a total of nine hours per day.
According to the driver, the fastest lap earns them the pole position, and for them, the race itself is what truly matters.
The RB driver expressed their desire for Sundays to be slightly different or more exciting, from a racing perspective.
I believe that nothing can compare to the weekend and the unique ambiance it creates for us drivers. Therefore, I am grateful that it still exists.
Several years ago, I suggested that it would be more efficient to have a three-day time trial. This would involve keeping the tracks open for nine hours a day, for three consecutive days. Participants would have the flexibility to choose the optimal temperature conditions for their attempts to set up their equipment.
Perhaps that could add a touch of novelty and excitement, making the Sunday more captivating. Possibly.
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