Last Sunday, the start of the Monaco Grand Prix was delayed due to weather conditions amongst other things, and Mercedes AMG F1 driver Lewis Hamilton was on the record about not being pleased with the lack of racing whilst it rained. Of course, this was reported on, but Hamilton isn’t pleased with how he was portrayed and attacked the media.
A heavy downpour was falling on the track in Monaco and the FIA decided to prioritise the safety of the drivers by making them start later than planned. Lewis Hamilton spoke out about the decision after the race and his comments were seen as a criticism of the FIA. The seven-time world champion was therefore keen to rectify the situation later on.
After the race, Lewis Hamilton, who finished eighth, made comments that were quickly taken as a criticism of the FIA direction:
“We are Formula One drivers so the weather is not a good enough reason to justify the decision.”
Later on, Hamilton wished to respond to the way his comment was reported saying:
“So the media are saying that I criticised the FIA for the last race but that’s rubbish. I think they did a great job this weekend. Could we have started the race when it was supposed to start? Probably, but they should have stopped it soon after. We ran when it was safe and that’s the most important thing.
The British driver goes on to accuse the media of generating negative content from his comments saying: “Please don’t use me to create a negative narrative,”
However, this view is not really shared by everyone.
Hans-Joachim Stuck, a former Formula 1 driver between 1974 and 1979 thought it was preposterous that there were such long delays starting saying: “What the people in charge did at Spa 2021 and now at Monaco in the rain is fooling people.
“They are supposed to be the best drivers in the world and they are there on the start line – they should be able to drive in these conditions.
“The opportunity that Stefan Bellof used in 1984 in the rain in Monaco doesn’t come along very often. Starting behind the safety car is the worst kind of stupidity. Most drivers want to prove themselves, especially in Monaco. I don’t understand this approach of the race management at all,” said the former F1 driver.
Emanuele Pirro, former F1 driver turned FIA steward, made a similar observation:
“Safety is very important but we are talking about the best drivers in the world driving very powerful cars. I would have let the race start on time and only stopped it if the conditions were really extreme.”
Finally, former Mercedes director Norbert Haug believes the FIA will have to deal with this problem internally: “The spectator thinks his car runs in the rain but the best drivers and cars in the world can’t? Formula One would be well advised to find ways to stop this. I’m sure it’s on Ross Brawn’s (the current technical and sporting director of the Formula One World Championship) list.”
Once a driver starts about safety, you know he is too old for this.
Who are you referring to? Doesn’t look like you’ve even read this article.
HAm: “So the media are saying that I criticised the FIA for the last race but that’s rubbish. I think they did a great job this weekend. Could we have started the race when it was supposed to start? Probably, but they should have stopped it soon after. We ran when it was safe and that’s the most important thing.
Yea, like Senna right? You obviously didn’t read the article.
Hamilton has not attacked the media, he has clarified his comments which most F1 pundits agree. Why delay the start, if it becomes too dangerous to drive, then red flag it
These media houses are all about clicks. Nothing seems valid anymore from them.
Being an old and grumpy git, I’ve been saying for years that F1’s views on wet weather races is too constrictive.
I grew up watching F1 from the 70’s and have attended British Grand Prix that were saturated.
Watching the likes of Senna and Mansell in 88 was staggering. Senna dominating at Donington in 93 was watching genius.
On Tv, you’d see the famous Senna and Schumacher races that humbled their opponents and I well remember 1997 when both Monaco and Spa were run in conditions similar to this last weekend.
We are talking about elite drivers in the safest F1 cars in history. Let them race for gods sake!!
Monaco isnt even really a race anymore. Just an excuse 4 wealth 2 press flesh with more wealth.
The very same madia that were singing hosannas in praise of Ham have now come to understand the real him. He can make irresponsible statements but later he can shift the blame. Nothing new for him. Only, his claws are showing more often, now that other drivers have made him look like a bus driver!
Whats da matter VIJAY da Coolie Boy? Did Ham take ya girl Hindu Boy?