Lewis Hamilton finished third in the Monaco GP, which he described as "exceptionally dull."GETTY IMAGES
Mercedes Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton said that the Monaco Grand Prix "must adapt if it is to present exciting racing," according to Giles Richards of the London GUARDIAN. The four-time world champion finished third on Sunday behind Daniel Ricciardo’s victorious Red Bull but was "one of several drivers to say it was an exceptionally dull race to partake in and to watch." Ricciardo, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton finished in the same positions as they started. Hamilton said, "It wasn't really racing. Ultimately, we were turned down and just cruising around to make sure we got to the end." McLaren's Fernando Alonso described it as "the most boring race ever." Hamilton: "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" (GUARDIAN, 5/28).
PROCEED WITH CAUTION: The BBC's Andrew Benson reported F1 team execs said that F1 must "proceed carefully" with plans for a cost cap because of the risk to jobs. Liberty Media wants to impose a cap of $150M a year on teams in a "wider shake-up" from '21. Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull all "spend about double that" and employ up to 1,000 people each. Seven of the 10 F1 teams are based in the U.K. Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said, "In the U.K., you are talking about potentially thousands of jobs." Five of the 10 F1 teams reportedly would need to "make cuts to staff to meet the budget cap:" Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Renault and McLaren. However, all "could potentially reallocate some personnel to roles within their other companies" (BBC, 5/28).
NEW ENGINE RULES: REUTERS' Alan Baldwin reported F1 aims to have new engine regulations for '21 "drawn up by the end of June" after a meeting with teams at the Monaco GP. Liberty Media and FIA "sat down with teams for an update on future plans" and Mercedes Motorsport Dir Toto Wolff said that progress had been made "in some areas." Wolff: "I think on the engine regulations we are pretty close on being able to tick the box. The only major thing which we need to solve is that we are still spending a lot on engine development and what we need to avoid is double spending over the next years" (REUTERS, 5/27).
FERRARI CLEARED: Baldwin also reported FIA cleared Ferrari of "any suspicion of cheating" after rivals questioned the team's energy recovery system. FIA investigated after Mercedes and Red Bull "raised concerns" about what Ferrari was doing. FIA Race Dir Charlie Whiting said that Ferrari's system was "more complicated than that used by rivals but he now accepted everything was above board" (REUTERS, 5/26).
