Lewis Hamilton: Two-stop rule can stop Monaco producing another “shite” race

This year’s Monaco Grand Prix will the first in history where drivers are required to pit twice during the race

Lewis Hamilton believes the decision to introduce two mandatory pit stops at the Monaco Grand Prix will help the race be a better spectacle than last year’s “shite”.

The decision was taken to force all drivers to pit at least twice in an attempt to spice up the racing at one of the most difficult tracks on the calendar to overtake.

Previous years have seen Saturday’s qualifying become key, with the field often then running in order unless interrupted by safety cars or red flags.

It remains to be seen how the new regulation with impact on the issue, which has plagued Monaco for some time, especially with the size of the current F1 cars only worsening the overtaking issue.

But Hamilton, who will start seventh for Ferrari after a three-place grid drop for impeding Max Verstappen during qualifying, potentially risked the wrath of the FIA swearing rules when asked about his take on the two pit stop mandate.

“I think the two stops should be better than the shite we had last year,” he said.

“Last year the safety car came out lap 2 and everyone was just on one tyre for 70 something laps. It was an uneventful race. I think this forces a bit more of a lottery.

“I think you need that at this sort of track because you can't overtake. I'm excited to see how different it is. I chose to have two hards, Charles (Leclerc) chose to have two mediums. I'm hoping that there's a benefit of that, but of course the two McLarens have two hards as well.”

The new rule has already created more of a spectacle ahead of the race, with potential decisions for when to pit making sure Saturday night will be a long one for team strategists up and down the paddock.

“It's a discussion you have at the beginning of tonight and tomorrow,” added Hamilton.

“You have to rely on the team to... because you don't know where everyone is. You also have to have good patience and try not to overtake yourself. That's why I've given myself two hards, so hopefully that gives me a bit more opportunities.”