Hamilton in favour of street circuits: 'I love it'
- Tygo Bekkema
There is much debate in the Formula 1 paddock about street circuits. Some love it, others hate it. Lewis Hamilton, at least, is a big fan. He hopes a good number of street circuits will be preserved.
The seven-time world champion does not hide his love for street circuits. "I love the street circuits. I always have. They're a lot more violent, a lot more challenging, I think, compared to the open areas. They're more risky. There's more hair-raising on the street circuit. It just adds a different element to the season," Hamilton told reporters on the Thursday prior to the Monaco Grand Prix.
Hamilton finds street circuits 'too crazy'
There is much talk these days about the future prospects of circuits like Monaco and other street circuits. But Hamilton stands firm and hopes the street element will be preserved. "It just wouldn't be as exciting, I think. If you just put a few of those street circuits in, it switches things up. It makes it more, not a lottery, but it adds in a little bit more variability, which is exciting. So, from a driver's perspective, it's always awesome."
On this year's calendar, there are currently eight tracks that can be considered as street circuits, not taking into account Canada as well. However, F1 currently rumoured to create more events like this in the future. From 2026 onwards, Madrid will host a street circuit Grand Prix for example.