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.
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