
Hamilton rejects FIA reason for Monaco rain delay
F1 News
Hamilton rejects FIA reason for Monaco rain delay

Lewis Hamilton has rejected the FIA's decision to delay the start of the Monaco Grand Prix due to a lack of wet-weather running across the weekend.
Rainfall just over 10 minutes before the scheduled start time triggered a 16-minute delay, with team personnel seen rushing back and forth between garages and the grid with different compound tyres.
When the cars did eventually begin the race behind the safety car, a sudden deluge left the track too wet to race, leading to a red-flag period and adding another 45 minutes to the delay.
An FIA statement explaining the decision to delay the race start read: "Race control was monitoring a downpour that was rapidly approaching the circuit, and as it arrived during the start procedure, the safety car start and associated procedures were implemented.
"This was done for safety reasons in consideration that there has been no wet running this weekend."
But questioning why the race was not started on time, Hamilton said: "When it first started raining we could've gone.
"But then it went really hard. I'm glad the rain came but it didn't really open up much opportunity."
Dismissing the FIA's explanation behind the delay, the seven-time F1 champion added: "We're Formula 1 drivers - that's definitely not a good reason.
"I was saying 'Let's go' when it was just drizzling a little bit at the beginning.
"I'm sure when we talk in the drivers' briefing room we'll discuss it, but we should have started the race."
Hamilton dismisses FIA caution
As well as delaying the start after keeping a watchful eye over the weather forecast, the FIA had opted against using standing restarts after the two red-flag periods.
The governing body has explained this was due to a local power outage making standing starts not possible.
Before that information came to light, Hamilton was asked whether race control had been too overcautious in its decision making.
"I don't know, that is an assumption," he said. "I don't really know. I have not been paying too much attention to it all."
Additional reporting by Ian Parkes
Related news

F2/F3 Power Rankings - Verstappen Monaco display BEATEN by rising star

FIVE thing we learned from Monaco - as Mercedes find out their chances of 2023 wins

F1 MUST make these changes to SAVE Monaco or say goodbye to the 'crown jewel'

Marko makes ‘INCREDIBLE’ claim over Verstappen barrier contact during Monaco GP
Most read

F1 champion claims Wolff has 'lost his marbles' as McLaren star makes 'girlfriend' admission - GPFans F1 Recap

F1 News Today: FIA chief HOSPITALISED as organisation announce F1 team ban

Surprise F1 name tipped to partner Verstappen at Red Bull

McLaren star makes startling 'girlfriend' admission

F1 News Today: Wolff brutally plays down huge Mercedes decision as Perez raises alarm over employee welfare
F1 Standings

Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2023
-
Grand Prix of China 2023
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
-
Miami Grand Prix 2023
-
Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
-
Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
-
AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
-
Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2023
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
-
Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
-
Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media

7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860