Three-time Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi failed to name Lewis Hamilton as one of the greatest drivers at the Monaco Grand Prix, despite the Mercedes driver having won three times at the Principality.
Hamilton is one of the most decorated drivers in the history of the iconic Grand Prix, with the 38-year-old having tasted victory at the Circuit de Monaco in 2008, 2016 and in 2019.
Despite this, he wasn’t one of the names that came to Fittipaldi when the Brazilian was asked to rank his best Monaco GP drivers, with Hamilton’s hero having instead been the first to be mentioned.
Fittipaldi instantly named fellow three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna as one of the all-time Monaco greats, with the Brazilian still being the most successful driver at the Circuit de Monaco in the history of F1.
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Senna won the Monaco GP a remarkable six times, a feat which will likely never be eclipsed.
“It’s difficult after so many years of racing in Monaco, but for sure Ayrton. He won so many times,” Fittipaldi told Vegas Insider.
“He always was very aggressive and determined with his driving. Monaco was his style.”
Fittipaldi went on to add the likes of Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher to his list of all-time Monaco greats, with there seemingly not being room for Hamilton.
“I’d say another one who was very impressive was Graham Hill who by some reason always adapted himself to Monaco. He won the GP five times,” Fittipaldi added.
“In my time, who I raced with, it was impressive to see Jackie Stewart drive in Monaco. For sure. Niki (Lauda) was very good in Monaco too.”
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“Then of course, the (Michael) Schumacher era. He was very good. He won five times there. Very impressive.”
Hamilton is unlikely to claim a fourth win at Monaco on Sunday given the current superiority of Max Verstappen, who’s chasing a second win in three years at the Principality.
The Dutchman will start the sixth round of the 2023 season from pole whilst Hamilton will start from fifth, meaning the Mercedes driver does at least stand a good chance of claiming his first top-five finish since the Australian Grand Prix.