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Hamilton concerned about Monaco traffic

Lewis Hamilton has some concerns ahead of Monaco © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Monaco Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Lewis Hamilton

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• McLaren

Lewis Hamilton has serious concerns about being held up by slow backmarkers during the Monaco Grand Prix.

With 24 cars on the grid, the tight and twisty 2-mile track will be far more congested than in recent years. Hamilton said the extra traffic was bad enough on the relatively spacious Circuit de Catalunya last weekend and reckons it will be several times worse in Monaco.

"It could be a disaster," Hamilton told the Press Association. "I lapped [Lucas] di Grassi four times yesterday [Sunday]. That's one of the biggest gaps I've had in Formula One."

When asked if the traffic could screw up his plans at the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, Hamilton replied: "I don't know about 'screw', but it's just very difficult when there is such a big difference. You catch them so quick, it's just unreal. When you see them you are wondering where they will move out of the way, and then they move into the wrong position. They'll go on the inside and be in the corner as you come up to them, so it gets quite tricky. So far, fortunately, there have been no incidents and it's been okay, but Monaco will be very tough."

Backmarkers aside, Hamilton is confident he will be quick at Monaco and is looking forward to taking the fight to Red Bull.

"I feel I've a great chance at Monaco this year," he said. "We've a strong car and I love the place. I've had quite good results there in the past, and I feel the car now is the best I've had during my time at the team. We should be competitive, and there's no reason why we shouldn't be challenging the Red Bulls there. Whether or not we'll see a gap of one second between us and them, who knows, but it's going to be very tricky again. A driver can have bit more of an impact on his overall time there. Hopefully the weather holds up for us, but if it rains, that will make it exciting."

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