Hamilton ‘excited’ by Monaco street fight

LEWIS Hamilton is aiming to reel off his third successive win and to consolidate his grip on this year’s title race at this weekend’s 65th running of the classic Monaco Grand Prix.

The defending four-time world champion, fresh from a lucky victory in Azerbaijan and a convincing triumph in Spain, arrives in the Mediterranean principality with a 17-point lead on nearest rival and fell ow- f o u r- t i me c h a mpi o n Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.

But in an unpredictable yoyo season punctuated by unexpected dramas, the 33-year-old Englishman knows he faces a challenge to stay on top on the unforgiving barrier-lined streets.

“We have worked very hard as a team to get into this posi- tion, but we know this is a major task. It is going to be a close fight and I am excited cited by the prospect of this race.” ce.”

Vettel won last year’s race for Ferrari, ending a four-year year run of Mercedes domination ion at a track where qualifying ng is of paramount importance e due to the difficulty in overtaking rtaking during the race.

The German is looking king for his third Monaco win and the 50th of his career on Sunday when, many drivers have suggested, the use of a new “hyper-soft” tyre with th pink sidewalls will deliver record laps.

That prospect and the he likely return of grid girls as the e Monaco organisers defy F1’s 1’s new American owners Liberty Media, who ended the tradition radition this year, has added to the keen sense of anticipation.

Pirelli boss Mario Is ol a s ai d t he “hyper” is a step up in performance and is likely to be used both in qualifying and the race. Spaniard Carlos Sainz of Renault, who tested the new tyre at

B a r c e l o n a f o l - l o w i n g the Spani s h G r a n d

Pr i x , s a i d he expected i t t o make a major impact. “It is quite impressive, that tyre, I must say,” Sainz said. “It gives easily a second per lap and that w was at Barcelona. Around Mon Monaco, this tyre could be somethin something special.

“We could see some very quick laps. I w would be prepared for lap recor records again – and in qualifying it will be absolute madness. It w will be crazy.

“Last year, with the new cars, it was some something incredible and this yea year with a two steps softer com compound and a tyre that for m me is the best tyre Pirelli has d done in years – it’s going to be crazy.” As Vettel bids to boun bounce back, after lead leading the championship earlier in the season son, he and Hamilton bo both fear a major challenge also from Red Bull who will be celebrating their 250th race start on Sunday.

They won both their 100th and 150th races and Dutchman Max Verstappen believes they should be making a major impact this weekend. “The team has worked hard and I feel we should be really competitive this time,” he said.

Hamilton (pictured, AFP) and Mercedes are expecting Red Bull to be a threat.

“It is going to be a serious challenge,” said Hamilton.

“The others are going to be hard to beat. If you look at Daniel Ricciardo, in Spain, he was much quicker in the last sector and the last sector is all downforce, so they’re going to be rapid in Monaco, and very hard to beat.