The Mercedes F1 team now has a job on their hands after Lewis Hamilton collided with the wall at Mirabeau that brought out a red flag. As a result, the Silver Arrows will now need to check on the Briton’s car and ensure that it is ready for qualifying later in the day.
🚩 RED FLAG 🚩
Hamilton hits the barriers at Mirabeau#MonacoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/TdhgFodKAe
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 27, 2023
The Monaco Grand Prix qualifying is arguably the most important qualifying session of the year because of how difficult it is to maneuver an overtake on this track given how narrow the circuit is. Hence, any driver that misses qualifying or does not perform at their best is likely to be in a compromised position for the main race on Sunday.
How did Lewis Hamilton crash into the wall?
Hamilton crashed into the barriers at Mirabeau after he lost the rear of his car. While there did not seem to be any obvious damage on the car, the team asked the Briton to stop. As a result, Hamilton fans will now hope that if there is any damage to the car, then that is limited and that the team can repair it quickly before qualifying.
While Hamilton and his fans will now have an anxious wait until qualifying, there were some other supporters who reacted hilariously. Some fans such as Clara and Stranden for example stated that “Hamilton just did a flying lap” after a crane lifted his Mercedes.
“hamilton just did a flying lap” pic.twitter.com/d7qNH81rcx
— clara (@leclercsletters) May 27, 2023
A whole new meaning to a flying lap pic.twitter.com/hEh2EGmITg
— Stranden LFT (@FStrandfelt) May 27, 2023
Meanwhile, some other fans such as Yusuke had flashed backs of seeing Hamilton have the lonely walk back to the pits.
Oh my god! I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere before 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/cTkUgg7txi
— Keep going,Yusuke #LH44 (@KeepGoingYusuke) May 27, 2023
And then there were some other fans who hilariously seemed to suggest that Hamilton crashed into the barriers because of the ongoing Ferrari rumors.
Ferrari rumors are very influential
— dahh (@covidnisme) May 27, 2023
Hamilton confirms he is close to signing a contract extension with Mercedes
Coming into the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, there were widespread speculations that Lewis Hamilton could potentially replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari for next season. However, the Briton himself has rubbished these rumors by stating that he is close to signing a contract extension with Mercedes.
After stating that he is close to extending his deal with the Silver Arrows, Hamilton added (as quoted by f1.com), “Having the team focus on that, so I can just do my job, is a much better position than I was in before. I remember I used to do all the negotiations on my own, and it was very stressful, so I don’t have to do that anymore“.