Lewis Hamilton has raced in a number of generations of vehicles on the Monaco Grand Prix, however admitted that his newest F1 period is “in all probability considered one of my least favourite vehicles”.
This season’s F1 is racing with lighter and narrower vehicles. In idea, this sounds excellent to enhance the exhibiting on the streets of Monaco, however the considerably diminished downforce ranges left Hamilton craving for an earlier iteration.
“I feel it is in all probability considered one of my favorites of all of the generations I’ve pushed right here,” mentioned the Ferrari driver.
hamilton of monaco
©XPB Photographs
“It is simply ultra-light downforce. By way of grip, it is actually like a technology down within the automotive. Our pressures are very excessive. Although we’ve got about 100 factors much less downforce this 12 months,[the tire pressures]are a lot increased.”
“We used to run round 16 psi, however now we’re working 28 psi, 26 psi, which is loopy excessive. We’re in all probability working round 24 psi right here, which is admittedly excessive.”
“The final word mechanical grip isn’t what it was once. I bear in mind once I was right here in 2007 or 2008 we had a significantly better grip.
“It was extra enjoyable again then. However (qualifying) wasn’t horrible. It was nonetheless enjoyable, however whenever you evaluate all of the generations, 2020 was in all probability the very best time for us by way of grip.”
hamilton of monaco
©XPB Photographs
Hamilton is scheduled to begin Sunday’s race in third place behind Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen, and whereas the Dutchman agreed along with his rival’s evaluation, he mentioned the structure of Monaco and the mixture of his present automotive made him “really feel like I am again to myself” and vitality saving won’t be a problem heading into the weekend.
Antonelli praised the return to a “regular” qualifying session, including:
“Our PU was nice, however in the present day was our first time qualifying and we did not must handle the battery or take a look at the steering wheel to handle the ability even on the out lap, we simply did the burn, maximized the burn and did not use the battery in the beginning of the lap.
“So it was a qualifying session the place all I thought of was driving and going as quick as I may.”
