Monaco critics are 'naive' - Brawn

Formula 1 motorsport chief Ross Brawn hit back at "naive" criticism of the Monaco Grand Prix, amid widespread anger from fans and drivers alike. Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton were particularly vocal critics of last weekend's race, which was typically short of on-track overtaking.

Although Max Verstappen moved to ninth from last place on the grid, the fight at the front was much more muted - the top six finished in the places that they qualified in.

Alonso spent much of the weekend pining for, and often promoting the Indianapolis 500, while Hamilton said he would have fallen asleep if watching the race at home.

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Monaco's narrow streets have never made for great wheel-to-wheel action and Sunday's lack of safety car or major crashes only served to make things more difficult, but Brawn pointed to race-winner Daniel Ricciardo's epic, record-breaking qualifying lap as a source of excitement.

"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," Brawn said in a press release.

"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."

Hamilton suggested altering the track at Monaco to elongate it and encompass more of Monte Carlo's streets, although brawn does not believe that would be a feasible option.

"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!"