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Monaco Grand Prix 2011: Lewis Hamilton is wrong to criticise Toro Rosso backmarkers

Lewis Hamilton’s suggestion that he was held up by Toro Rosso cars while lapping them in last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix has caused a bit of a stink out here. Frustrated: Lewis Hamilton has criticised Toro Rosso's drivers Photo: GETTY IMAGES By David Coulthard

10:30PM BST 27 May 2011


Effectively the McLaren driver is alleging that Toro Rosso's drivers are helping sister team Red Bull by stepping neatly aside for Sebastian Vettel, yet costing him valuable time when he wants to pass.

The general reaction, though, has been a shrug of the shoulders allied to the usual response whenever a driver complains of backmarkers: “Excuses, excuses.”

Backmarkers were always a particular bugbear of mine. I know how frustrating they can be. There were many times in my career when I became exasperated with guys who just couldn’t or wouldn’t get it.

"I would say to them ‘You will have your day when you’re in a quick car which is capable of winning and somebody will hold you up and then you will understand where I’m coming from’. But they would retort that they had their race to run and that is also a valid viewpoint.

Ultimately, Lewis is a racer and a competitive animal so I can empathise. But do I think there is anything untoward going on? No.


Do Force India assist Mercedes because of their commercial ties? Do Sauber assist Ferrari? Do Team Lotus assist Renault? No, no and no.

Every title contender has races when he is held up by backmarkers.

Funnily enough, Mark Webber had it with Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari in Abu Dhabi last year. That is just racing.

Who's Hot ...

Monaco, the jewel in Formula One’s crown. The ultimate challenge.

The clichés tumble out in Monaco but for a good reason; this place is magical and I think we’re in for a treat this weekend. Qualifying on Saturday afternoon is going to be particularly special.

Who's not ...

Michael Schumacher.

My old rival suffered the embarrassment of crashing at Sainte Devote on Thursday and having crashed in Monaco myself I know just how embarrassing that is.

But it just shows the huge challenge of driving around the streets where the smallest mistake is usually followed by the sound of car hitting Armco.

The Circuit

Tight and twisting Monaco’s iconic landmarks need no introduction: Casino Square, Mirabeau, the Tunnel, the Swimming Pool. But familiarity does not make them any less tricky.

There is no room for error on a street circuit and Monaco is the ultimate street track. Unlike Valencia or Singapore, there is no run-off here.

The 2011 regulations will add a new dimension to proceedings.

Although DRS – the movable rear wing – will not produce overtaking as the end of the straight does not allow for it, it will still permit drivers to close right up behind a rival and that can induce mistakes.

As for tyres, the estimate is for anything from one to three stops per driver, which means more opportunities for brilliant (or disastrous) strategy calls and teamwork.


Hot and sunny.

Remember, Monaco is raced on only once per year so the evolution from Thursday to Sunday is dramatic.

As the rubber goes down grip levels rise. The fastest lap of the weekend potentially could be the last lap of the race. Off line will be perilous with all the ’marbles’ from the new Pirelli tyres.


Red Bull may not have it all their own way.

From what we saw on Thursday, Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes all look quick and this could be the first race of the year when a Red Bull fails to take pole.

Either way, qualifying is less important here than it has been for the last decade or two because of the new regulations.


Qualifying 1pm BBC One.


1pm BBC One.