Lewis Hamilton warned that Formula 1 drivers are flirting with disaster in Sunday’s biggest race of the year.

The combination of a larger grid, slower cars, new teams, ambitious rookie racers, a super-tight street circuit and the pressure cooker 20-minute qualifying system is a nightmare concoction that could explode in tragedy in the Monte Carlo Grand Prix.

There were some frightening near-misses in Spain on Sunday despite the wide open track. On the snaking Monaco street circuit there is not a millimetre of room for the slightest slip.

The race leaders will be travelling six seconds a lap faster than the back-markers, closing in on 180mph speeds with no run-off area.

“It could be a disaster. I lapped Di Grassi four times in Spain. That’s one of the biggest speed gaps I’ve had in Formula One,” said Hamilton.

“It’s very difficult with such a big difference. You catch them so quick, it’s just unreal. Monaco will be very tough.”

Lewis Hamilton and his McLaren team-mate Jenson Button have both won at Monaco – but they have had their spills too.

World champion Button was hospitalised in 2003 while Hamilton has hammered the barriers for the last two races, last year leaving his McLaren a crumpled mess.