Lewis Hamilton hits out at two major F1 changes: ‘Makes absolutely no sense’
Hamilton isn't impressed with the latest F1 decisions (Photo: Race Pictures)
15:00, 23 Sep
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Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Two big developments in the world of Formula 1, and Lewis Hamilton isn’t particularly happy with either.
Between the Madrid Grand Prix and this weekend’s Azerbaijan event, F1 announced shorter race distances for 2027, and also next season’s calendar, which includes more sprint events, most notably at Monaco.
GPblog was the first to report on a shortening of Grands Prix for the new season, and it’s now been confirmed that they will downsize from 305kilomtres to 290kms next year, resulting in two or three fewer laps.
The changes come due to the new power units and the way fuel is used during a race distance.
Speaking to GPblog and others in Baku, Hamilton admitted he wasn’t clear on the reasons, but finds the result unsatisfactory.
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Hamilton wants longer F1 races – not shorter ones
He explained: “I don't really know anything about it or any of the reasons they put it up behind it.
“I think the races should be longer because the races are physically easier than ever before.
“So shortening, I don't think, makes much sense. If you think about this weekend, we have the C3, 4, 5 [tyre compounds] that can pretty much all do the race distance.
“So we have a lot of races where it's only a one stop. It's not particularly challenging.
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“There it is challenging, but they're making tyres that just seem to go longer. So for me, there's been many races where I wish we had more laps.
“So it's the opposite that I would be asking for [which] is longer races, to be honest.”
Hamilton: F1 drivers should be pushed to the limit
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He continued: “This is supposed to be the sport that's the most physically demanding and mentally, but there are some that are just so hot and, ultimately, you are on the edge.
“Like, Singapore is incredibly hot and demanding. Malaysia will be crazy this year. But that's where I think you wanna see athletes just right on the edge. Right? Right at the edge of their performance, having to actually push their bodies further because that's what this sport is about, pushing the levels and pushing the boundaries. So shortening the races makes absolutely no sense to me.”
If that wasn’t unpopular enough with the seven-time world champion, don’t mention the sprint races.
Of the 10 sprint events in 2027, the Monaco one is the most surprising with the circuit infamously the worst of the season for overtaking.
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Monaco sprint decision also baffles Hamilton
Giving his take on the choice, Hamilton said: “It makes no sense to me, but I'm not making decisions, obviously.
“On the positive, maybe we get we get another qualifying session, which is quite cool. But I I I've always said Monaco needs something different.
“I don't think it should be the same race formula that it is everywhere else. It needs to be something different.
“We already included the sprint races, which I think have really brought something new to the sport, but I think we gotta go gotta come up with something new for somewhere like that.
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“This is a beautiful place, such a beautiful country, an incredible circuit to drive, but the race is as dull as it gets. So I don't know what that is, but a sprint race is not the answer.”
“It makes no sense to me, but I'm not making decisions, obviously."- Lewis Hamilton
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Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Overview
Thursday 24.09.26
Practice 1
08:30 AM
Practice 2
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Friday 25.09.26
Practice 3
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Thu 08:30 AM
Practice 2
Thu 12:00 PM
Friday 25.09.26
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Race
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