The start of the 2022 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix was scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local time, but rain unexpectedly made an appearance minutes before the traffic lights went out and the FIA decided to delay the start to avoid problems .
Shortly after, Race Direction announced that the single-seaters would start with the formation lap at 3:09 p.m. , but it was postponed until 3:16 p.m. , but not before confirming that all the drivers should start with the extreme rain tires of mandatory way.
At the moment in which Charles Leclerc ventured out of the pitlane to defend pole position at home, the international federation also indicated that the start from the grid would not take place, letting the cars compete as if it were a restart after a safety car, a so-called rolling start .
After completing 64 laps in the Principality due to the fact that the 3-hour limit from the scheduled start time had been met, the drivers gave their opinion on the FIA’s decision to delay the start of the race, despite the fact that the body He defends that they had problems with the electronic panel systems.
One of those who turned out to be clear in his statements was Lewis Hamilton: “I think when it started to rain we could have gone out, but then a lot of rain fell and we probably should have stopped.”
“We are Formula 1 drivers,” said the Briton. “Not a good reason, that’s what I was saying, it was like ‘come on’, it was just sparking a little bit at the beginning, so again I’m sure when we talk at the drivers’ briefing we’ll discuss it, but we should have started the race.
Another of the four champions on the grid, Sebastian Vettel, also dared to give his point of view: “I don’t know why [he was delayed]. It’s difficult, the race direction is still new, and they don’t have much experience. “.
“Our extreme wet tires are basically useless. It’s nice to see, but as soon as you can, you go to intermediate because it’s a softer and better compound,” said the German. “I remember days when you could have raced in these conditions, but not with these tyres, like Monza in 2008 or China in 2009.”
Daniel Ricciardo, who accompanied Vettel in the Red Bull garage for one season, that of 2014, assured that he did not understand why they did not start at the scheduled time: “There was a delay, it was raining, but those conditions are quite good”.
“I wasn’t quite sure why we didn’t get going, but once we got out, then with the red flag, it was a 100% correct decision. If you ask me why we didn’t start at 3pm, I’m not sure. “said the Australian.
“It would have been unsafe, but that’s what we should be able to do. I don’t think it would have been dangerous, it would have been difficult, but it’s what we have to do, I would have got it going, but that’s not my job,” Ricciardo replied. when it was put on the table that they were Formula 1 drivers, the highest category of motorsport.
Pierre Gasly, for his part, also did not understand why they did not start the race as scheduled: “I did not understand why we did not go directly, I was prepared, and I said to myself, ‘OK, let’s go, it’s part of the race, if we have to go at 3:00 p.m., we go at 3:00 p.m., but I did not understand why they delayed it”.
“I’ll have to talk to the team to find out exactly why,” he continued. “The red flag, the first one, I think was correct, from 17th position I was literally driving blind, I couldn’t see anything, so I think this was indicated, but yeah, it could have started earlier.
“This is part of our job. When it’s hard, that’s also when we’re challenged and our skills are tested. That’s also what excites and excites me, although I think in the end, the security, the vision, was very poor. , so it was the correct thing”, indicated the Frenchman.
However, there were drivers who were on the other side, like Guanyu Zhou: “It was too wet. Where I was, I could only see the red light at the rear of the Williams, not much, and I think it was the right decision, I What did they do today, at least?
Esteban Ocon had the same opinion as the Alfa Romeo driver: “I think it was good for safety. I agree that at the beginning there was too much rain and we couldn’t see, and it was correct to restart as we did afterwards.”
However, others did not go into the matter much, as happened with Kevin Magnussen, who preferred to let the matter pass into the hands of the Race Direction: “I don’t know what the reason is, I don’t understand it. They must have their reasons.”
