Hamilton ready to tighten his grip

Monaco – 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 fellow-four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.

But in an unpredictable yo-yo 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 position, but we know this is a major task. It is going to be a close fight and I am excited by the prospect of this race.”

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

The German is looking 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 pink sidewalls will deliver record laps.

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