Hamilton hoping for split pit stop strategies for Monaco GP attack

Lewis Hamilton is predicting the majority of teams to be able to pull off one-stop strategies in Monaco which he fears will make it “a boring race” and limit his opportunities to attack for victory.

The Mercedes driver secured third place in qualifying behind pole-sitter Daniel Ricciardo for Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel in second for Ferrari but is playing down his chances to maintain his winning run due to the limited overtaking opportunities at the Monaco street circuit.

The reigning F1 world champion hopes for split strategies to open up the race during pit stops as he aims to put pressure on the two ahead of him.

“They should make us use multiple ultrasofts, or hypersofts,” Hamilton said. “One stop is always a boring race especially on a track where you can’t even overtake. So, it adds more excitement to it. I’m sure we’ll do one stop tomorrow. The other tyres could probably go a long way.”

Hamilton feels his maximum in qualifying would have been second place behind Ricciardo had it not been for a mistake on his final lap but is content to fight from the front of the second row.

“I was happy with my last one. I was 0.27s but I lost it in the middle and the last sector so naturally not happy with that,” he said. “That wouldn’t have been enough anyways for pole but it would have made a difference, obviously I would have been second.

“I gave it everything I could and you can’t always get it perfect. The good thing is the car is in one piece and I can live to fight another day.”