Lewis Hamilton renews his call for changes to be made at Monaco to promote better racing.

Despite being the "jewel in F1's crown', the fact is - as even the briefest glimpse at the teams' previews for the weekend confirm - that due to the lack of opportunities for overtaking the event is often processional.

As Ferrari helpfully confirms: "The lowest grid position from which the Monaco race has been won" is 14th, that being "the crazy 1996 race won by Olivier Panis in the Ligier".

"Up until then," the Italian team points out, "out of 66 races, the winner had started from the front row 45 times and 30 times from pole position."

Indeed, the winner has started from pole 11 times since 2005.

Speaking as the Monaco GP got underway, Lewis Hamilton once again called on organisers to make changes that might facilitate overtaking, the Briton having previously called for change back in 2018.

"Now we have much bigger cars, much faster, (there is) almost zero opportunity to overtake in a race," said the seven-time world champion, "but that has been the case for some time.

"It needs to change," he continued, "we have had the same format for years. Now it's a one-stop race with these hard, long stints that we get to do.

"On the list of difficult places to overtake it's off the scale, highly unlikely you would get the opportunity and I don't think fans enjoy that.

"It is the best venue, the most beautiful place we get to race at but you know it is never exciting for fans.

"I don't know what the solution is," he admitted, "but I hope when we look forward it can be a more exciting race."

Check out our Thursday gallery from Monaco, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by flyinglap, 20/05/2021 19:35

"Monaco Grand Prix is perfect just the way it is. 'Overtaking' does not equate to 'better racing', especially if it is DRS-assisted as the younger generations of drivers and fans alike have been accustomed to. If, statistically, it seems that starting from pole, or from the first row, or even from the first half of the grid does contitute an advantage, then one should simply endeavor to qualify as forward as possible. And Monaco being one of the very few tracks to genuinely award a driver's skill and courage, and to equally penalize the slighest error (including of judgement), it seems to me fair enough and more than exciting. And the outcome is never guaranteed in advance. After all, a roulette gives you only the options of red or black (and there is 0 as well), but the house wins most of the time. Things are not as simple as they might appear, especially in Monaco. I am sure Sir Lewis knows that well, so I am questioning his real motive (along with 'bendy wings' and all that). "

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2. Posted by Wokingchap, 20/05/2021 14:53

"Surely it's a bit late to be requesting changes today."

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3. Posted by ZJAY, 20/05/2021 14:40

"@TSGiidchild. Love your idea, except that 5 years later and 10 billion dollars spending, someone
would suggest to use the enlarged area to increase the width of the racing track by .5 m and the rest for an escape zone out of abundance of caution. Of course FIA will agree to that. "

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4. Posted by Burton, 20/05/2021 12:27

"Since everyone likes to mindlessly parrot Monaco is special (it isn't) why not make it the sole non-championship event? Can't get more special than that. Plus, since they (correct me if I'm wrong) don't pay a hosting fee, might as well throw that cash into a proper money prize and make it an actual Grand Prix. Legacy maintained without ruining the championship :p"

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5. Posted by Simon in Adelaide, 20/05/2021 9:53

"F1 at Monaco is a bit like professional snooker, it is won by those who make the least mistakes."

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6. Posted by Kkiirmki, 20/05/2021 8:53

"If only we could move those pesky buildings and narrow city streets..."

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Hamilton calls for change at Monaco

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