• Monaco Grand Prix

Hamilton 'can't wait for qualifying'

Lewis Hamilton is in a buoyant mood after pushing Sebastian Vettel so close in Spain © Press Association

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• Race:
• Monaco Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Lewis Hamilton

• Teams:
• McLaren

Lewis Hamilton has said that qualifying is still the most exciting part of the weekend despite the new rules increasing the amount of overtaking in races.

The importance on qualifying has lessened as the rapidly wearing Pirelli tyres have led to more pit stops and more passing occurring on track. Hamilton, however, says that the qualifying session is still extremely enjoyable for the drivers, and that the reason is being able to make full use of the exhaust-blown diffuser.

"Qualifying is probably the most exciting part of the weekend apart from the start of the race," Hamilton said. "It is very cool, especially now. Before we would just go to the fastest engine setting. Now, you go for the most powerful downforce setting for the engine, which is very neat. You put lots of front wing in, you suddenly have loads more grip and you can throw the car around like crazy. I can't wait to get into qualifying."

Hamilton also said he felt that McLaren could have the beating of Red Bull if it can improve its qualifying pace.

"If we had qualifying performance I think we could beat them in the race. I think I showed at the last race that I had the fastest race pace throughout the whole race. So that just shows that if I can get on the front row we'd be in a good position to have a good race with them. It's difficult to overtake them in the race because their car is very, very good. They've got mega pit stops, which helps as well, and so, yes, qualifying is an area we have got to work on."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.