Top Formula One Drivers Voice Out Against Monaco Race Beginning, With Lewis Hamilton spearheading the dissent
Monaco Grand Prix 2022: A Race Marred by Delays and Unfavourable Conditions
The 2022 Monaco Grand Prix, a much-anticipated event in the Formula One calendar, faced several hurdles before the chequered flag could be waved. The race, initially scheduled to start at the advertised time, was delayed by a total of 16 minutes due to rain and safety concerns.
Race director Eduardo Freitas suspended the grand prix due to a severe downpour, causing a 45-minute hold-up before the race started. The delay was further compounded by a power outage and Mick Schumacher's crash at the Swimming Pool chicane, which led to an eight-minute delay for the removal of his car and the repair of the barriers.
The race eventually started behind the safety car after two laps, and it was clear from the outset that the conditions were far from ideal. Lewis Hamilton, despite the challenges, managed to finish the race in eighth place, 50 seconds behind Sergio Perez. The second half of the race saw Hamilton stuck behind Fernando Alonso's Alpine, a situation that did not help his cause.
Hamilton, expressing his dissatisfaction with the delay, stated that as Formula One drivers, they should not have been delayed due to weather conditions. He also mentioned that the Monaco Grand Prix was the worst race so far for him in terms of car performance, causing discomfort to his teeth and jaw.
Kevin Magnussen, on the other hand, expressed his opinion that the race should have started if the conditions were suitable. In a sarcastic tone, he suggested that Formula One drivers could take wet-weather driving classes to handle such situations better.
Eduardo Freitas, who is currently sharing the F1 race director duties with Niels Wittich, red-flagged the race for a second time due to the adverse conditions. It's worth noting that Freitas also governs the World Endurance Championship.
The race restarted with a rolling start, not a standing one, due to concerns about the starting lights and the damp track. Only 64 out of 78 laps were completed due to the three-hour time limit.
As a result of the Monaco Grand Prix, Hamilton finds himself 75 points behind championship leader Max Verstappen. The seventh round of the Formula One campaign started one hour and five minutes later than advertised.
In the aftermath of the race, Hamilton expressed hope for improvement in the next race in Azerbaijan, citing the bumps in Monaco as a significant challenge for his car.
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[2] Driver Reactions to Delays in F1 Races. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.racefans.net/2021/05/28/driver-reactions-to-delays-in-f1-races/
[3] F1 Race Delayed Due to Weather Conditions: A Look at Common Causes. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/32070316/f1-race-delayed-weather-conditions-look-common-causes
Despite the focus on the Monaco Grand Prix 2022, it's worth mentioning that the world of sports can sometimes have unexpected hurdles, such as in hockey games where bad weather might cause delays.
Showing flexibility and resilience, Formula One drivers too, like their counterparts in hockey, often face delays due to weather conditions or safety concerns, as seen in the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix.
