Lewis Hamilton calls Monaco GP ‘Miserable’ as communication issues persist
Lewis Hamilton Slams "Miserable" Monaco GP and Ferrari Radio Confusion
Monte Carlo, Monaco – Lewis Hamilton described his Monaco Grand Prix experience as "miserable" after finishing fifth in a race that left him stuck in "no-man's-land," while also voicing fresh concerns about Ferrari's race-day communication struggles.
Starting from seventh due to a grid penalty, the seven-time world champion gained two positions, ultimately ending his Sunday nearly a full minute behind race-winner Lando Norris. It was a relatively uneventful outing for the Briton, who faced little pressure from Isack Hadjar behind but never came close to challenging the front-runners.
"I think from where I was, a three-place grid penalty, moving forward back to fifth I think was decent, the best I could do," Hamilton stated after the race.
However, when asked directly whether the afternoon had been enjoyable, his response was blunt.
"No, it was miserable," he admitted. "The races here are generally [not enjoyable] unless you're first and in the lead. Even when you're in the lead, it's not that fun. Just a nice reward at the end, but other than that, anything but first is kind of empty."
Hamilton Stuck in "No-Man's-Land"
Hamilton's frustrations stemmed in part from finding himself in a race with no real battles after the early stages. Speaking to Sky Sports, he described a sense of futility as the race unfolded.
"For me, I was kind of in the middle of nowhere," Hamilton said. "Obviously, I started with the penalty I had down in seventh, was behind two cars for some time, then managed to clear them, and after that, I was just in no-man's-land. I think the gap was relatively big, and I wasn't racing anyone."
Hoping for a potential intervention like a safety car to mix things up, the Ferrari driver noted that:
"It didn't happen, so it was just pretty straightforward from there."
Ferrari’s Communication Issues Continue
While Hamilton's performance on track appeared to be straightforward, confusion arose when it came to the guidance he received from his team over the radio. Ferrari's communication during races has been a sore spot throughout the season, and Sunday's conversation appeared to add to the growing list of missteps.
At one point, Hamilton was instructed to "push now ... this is our race," a message that left the veteran driver unsure of its intent.
"The information wasn't exactly that clear; I didn't understand the 'this is our race' [comment]," Hamilton explained. "I didn't know what I was fighting for. Was I fighting for the next spot ahead or …? But in actual fact, when I look at the data, I wasn't anywhere near the other guys up front. I used my tires a lot in that moment, but I was so far away from them."
Post-Race Radio Drama
Adding to the drama, a snippet of post-race team radio went viral on social media, with Hamilton asking, "Are you upset with me or something?" after his team remained unusually silent. Addressing the situation afterward, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur clarified the lack of response as being due to Hamilton's track position, denying any intentional snub.
Looking Ahead to Barcelona
With the championship battle heating up, Ferrari will need to eliminate such communication lapses if they hope to give Hamilton a shot at competing for more than just midfield scraps. Meanwhile, for Hamilton himself, Sunday's result is another chapter in a season that has yet to deliver the highs he’s accustomed to.
The series now moves to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix, where both Hamilton and Ferrari will look to rebound with a stronger, more cohesive performance.
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