Lewis Hamilton has called on Monaco’s organisers to ring the changes after lamenting Sunday’s processional affair as the “most boring race” of his career.
Daniel Ricciardo nursed his wounded Red Bull home, while Sebastian Vettel moved to within 14 points of Hamilton after finishing one place ahead of his rival in second.
Ricciardo was down on power for much of the race after engine gremlins struck with 50 laps still remaining. But the Australian never came under threat at a circuit where overtaking is, and always has been, virtually impossible.
Indeed the top six crossed the line in the order they qualified.
“Thank God that’s over,” Hamilton said on the Mercedes‘ radio at the conclusion of the Grand Prix. “That was the most boring race I’ve ever participated in.”
The Brit, 33, later said: “We were just cruising around from lap six, literally cruising, so it wasn’t really racing.
“Monaco has got the biggest build-up and it is the most special race of the year, but Formula One needs to apply a different schedule here.
“From a racing driver’s point of view, we were never pushing. It was insane how little I was pushing. I was 10 seconds behind, but I was conflicted because in my heart I wanted to win this race, but the team just asked me to bring the car home.”
Hamilton added: “What can we do to make this one better? I spoke to Prince Albert the other day and said maybe we should make it longer. There are more roads so maybe we can change this great track and make it even better.
“Or maybe the format should change. You shouldn’t be able to do a one-stop race here. There has to be some mixed-up things. Maybe we need two races?”
Hamilton was not alone in his view, with Fernando Alonso, a former winner at Monte Carlo and double world champion, also taking aim at Sunday’s spectacle.
“This was probably the most boring race ever,” Alonso, who retired in the closing stages, said.
“The sport needs to think a little bit about the show because this is very disappointing.
“We probably need to give something to the fans at the end of the race just to pay back the ticket.”
Provided by Press Association Sport