AMA Motocross (HD) • 2:00pm
  • Media
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Check out the latest SPEED podcasts on iTunes
  • Mobile
This could be your avatar!
Username
Password
Register
adam_cooper,_racer_magazine's avatar
Author:
Adam Cooper
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
  • Related Photos
  • http://www.speedtv.com/video/popup/',1000,734,0);">Related Videos
SPEEDtv.com Store
Racer Magazine - Subscribe Now
Get all of the inside information from America's Premiere Motorsports Magazine
Our Price: $29.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
365 Cars You Must Drive
The ultimate gift and ride guide for the automotive enthusiast.
Our Price: $19.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
SPEED Khaki Sandwich Bill Cap
Washed chino twill, constructed mid crown w/ pre-curved sandwich visor.
Our Price: $20.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
F1: Hamilton “Feeling Good” at Monaco
Written by: Adam Cooper
RACER Magazine   http://www.racer.com/speedtv
05/22/2008 - 12:20 PM
Monte Carlo, Monaco
 
The to-the-edge nature of Monaco suits Hamilton just fine. (LAT photo) ยป More Photos

Lewis Hamilton insists that his pace on Thursday in Monaco was genuine, and it was not a case of McLaren running less fuel than the opposition.
Hamilton was over 0.4sec faster than Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari in the afternoon session, and he was consistently fast all day.

“I’m feeling good,” said Lewis. “It’s very early stages. We had fantastic weather today, but the weather forecast says it’s going to rain Saturday and Sunday. I’m sure that’s going to be the case and it’s going to be interesting.

“I think when you get to P3, you’ll see the real difference in times. But I think our pace is true, and for sure we are very quick.”

He admitted that it won’t be easy to decide how much fuel to run in qualifying.

“Considering our pace today, for sure we can look at going a bit longer [in the race]. The worst thing is being jumped in qualifying. I’m sure people will go very light just to get the pole position just to nasty out of trouble. I hope we don’t compromise ourselves by going too long or whatever we do, and we’re able to lock out the front row.”

Interestingly, Hamilton found the car much more fun to drive without traction control.

“I think it’s pretty cool. It’s much better than it was last year here. Last year
was still tough with traction control. A lot of the time traction control holds you back, and now I have the control to override it, and push through it, and wheelspin if I want to. It’s better for me.”

Hamilton says he can’t understand why Felipe Massa does not regard Monaco as a real racetrack.

“This is a racer’s track. If you can’t drive it, then that’s your problem. I don’t feel that you have to drive it like an old lady. I drive on the limit, touching the barriers, and all sorts. It’s a rollercoaster ride. You can’t comprehend how tight it is, how fast it is, and how close you are to the barriers, and how close you are to ripping every corner off the car. It just takes and unreal amount of concentration. You can really ring it out on the edge. I enjoy it – it’s my favorite track.”

Hamilton says everything has to come together to get the perfect qualifying lap: “You need to have no traffic, you need to get a good exit from the last corner, put all the sectors together, stay out of the wall, and use all the road if possible! This track is all about courage, and every braking zone, every straight that you’re on, you’re hanging on for dear life. You’re hoping that nothing brakes and you don’t miss the braking spot or turn in too early and hit the wall.”
View All Comments