Lewis Hamilton on Monaco Grand Prix: ‘I’m hoping we have a closer race’

The runaway F1 drivers' championship leader says he would welcome a stiffer challenge in Monaco, saying 'It would be cool if there were Ferraris and Red Bulls in the mix this time'.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton drives at the Monaco street circuit during the first practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo on Thursday. Bris Horvat / AFP / May 22, 2014

Lewis Hamilton welcomes the prospect of a stronger challenge from his rivals as he seeks to raise his performance level again in this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.

The championship leading Briton, who has moved three points clear of his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg at the top of the standings after winning the last four races, explained that he wants a tougher contest to keep pushing him on.

“Monaco has always been a track that I’ve really done well at, but Nico was very, very quick here last year and there are not many teammates that I’ve allowed to beat me here,” Hamilton said.

“So I’m really hoping that this weekend I can turn up the pressure again ... I am looking to lift my performance.”

Hamilton was disappointed to finish fourth in Monaco a year ago, but said that in retrospect he believes his pace was respectable given his discomfort with the Mercedes at the time.

“Last year was probably the toughest year in terms of being able to get the maximum out of the car,” he told reporters.

“Last year I didn’t really feel like I could do that anywhere really.

“To have been second on the grid, even though I wasn’t getting 100 per cent out of the car, was quite cool. I’m hoping this weekend that I’m able to extract more from the car and it should be better.”

Asked about the perceived lack of competition to Mercedes, he said: “I’m racing my teammate, so I do have competition and I’m grateful for that. I’m hoping we have a closer race. It would be cool if there were Ferraris and Red Bulls in the mix this time.”

Some drivers believe the unique characteristics of the Monaco street circuit give Mercedes’ rivals a chance this weekend.

Defending four-time drivers world champion Sebastian Vettel said: “Mercedes have a very, very strong package, Nico and Lewis are very good around here so they will be the ones to beat.

“Maybe we can be a bit closer. The target is to have a very good qualifying because that’s half the job done on Saturday.”

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Ferrari said: “In Monaco, definitely, there is a different scenario to other races and it is a little bit more open for some other teams after the domination of Mercedes in the first races.”

“Hopefully we are going to see some alternatives, but they are still big favourites. No doubt. If you have confidence with the car, you can do extra here and the performance of the car is not so important.”

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