Formula 1 managing director Ross Brawn has responded to the wide criticism of last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix believing it is “naive” for drivers and fans to judge the circuit for an uneventful 2018 race.
Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo led all 78 laps of Sunday’s event on his way to his maiden victory in the Principality, in a race that delivered few overtakes and passed by without a single safety car for the first time since 2009.
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were particularly vociferous on the lack of action the street circuit provided, labelling it the most boring race in F1 history, a statement Brawn refuted in his post-race column.
“I’ve heard and read a number of comments from drivers and F1 people saying the race was boring and it’s true that it wasn’t action-packed, all the more so as the tyres were the key factor,” said Brawn. “However, it’s a bit naive to expect lots of duels and passing moves in Monaco!
“That’s in contrast to the unique spectacle of Saturday’s qualifying, as this is the only place one can get so close to the action as the 20 drivers brush the barriers (sometimes clipping them) at speeds that are just unthinkable for mere mortals: maybe we don’t give enough credit to these guys who can lap the 3,337 metre track in around 71 seconds.”
Although Brawn feels it is wrong to judge Monaco against circuits that provide more overtaking opportunities, he is more than open to discussing potential tweaks to tracks with drivers in the future to improve racing.
“Monaco is such a special race that it should not be judged by the same criteria as the others,” he added. “The atmosphere in the paddock and the town, the glamour that surrounds the event makes it unique.
“Having said that, one of the aims we have set ourselves for the Formula 1 of the future is to work together with the promoters and all stakeholders to ensure the new circuits provide more overtaking opportunities and that current ones are improved.
“Naturally, the opinion of the drivers is welcome and our door is always open. However, in Monaco you’d need to reclaim land from the sea to do something and that’s definitely not up to us!”
