• Monaco Grand Prix

F1 drivers propose split Q1 session for Monaco

ESPNF1 Staff
May 7, 2010 « Schumacher confident things will improve | »
Monaco is one of the tightest circuits on the calendar © Sutton Images
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Formula One drivers have proposed that the first session of qualifying for next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix be split into parts.

A group of drivers from both ends of the grid fear the traffic implications of 24 cars being on the short and twisty street layout at the same time, particularly with three teams vastly off the pace.

"I don't think it's a bad idea [to split Q1]," said reigning world champion and current championship Jenson Button.

According to ITV, his McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton agreed that the session split "would be a sensible move".

Veteran Jarno Trulli, whose Lotus car is several seconds off the pace of the frontrunners, said it would be better to discuss the issue now "rather than making a big mess" in Monaco.

"I am slow, so I'm going to probably impede someone else," admitted Trulli.

But while Ferrari's Felipe Massa acknowledged the potential traffic chaos, he said he isn't sure Q1 should be changed, and Mark Webber expressed a similar view.

"It's blind," Webber said of the Monaco layout, "you can come up on someone very, very fast. A split session is something I wouldn't be in favour of, but it could be beneficial. It could help, but I think we could get on with it."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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