Where did all the time go? Vasseur can't explain the 51 seconds Hamilton lost in Monaco

19:54, 27 May

Updated: 20:58, 27 May

byNorberto Mujica

Despite Qualifying P4 for the Monaco Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was forced to start in P7 following a three place grid drop. This, however, was not the sole factor that determined his lonely race.

Hamilton was separated by Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso from the top 4, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.

Although the front-runners had quicker pace than Hadjar and Alonso, and in fact Hamilton did lose ground to them due to the slower VCARB and Aston Martin, there was a different situation that cost the British world champion a heap of time.

Speaking to media like GPblog, Frederic Vasseur clarified what that situation was, after the race in Monte-Carlo.

Vasseur can only account for 10 seconds out of the full 51

"He lost almost 10 seconds more than the others when he joined the group of cars who were lapped," said the Frenchman.

For Hamilton the situation was more difficult to manage due to his being in 'no-man's-land.'

"I don't remember who was in this group, but it was a difficult time for him. Probably the fact that the other joined this pack one after the other, it was much easier."

"They were aware of the guys coming and a bit less with Lewis as he was alone. And compared to Verstappen who was ahead at this stage, we lost something like 10 seconds in this segment."

Although his pace at times was comparable to that of the leaders, it was a very complicated race for the Briton who had yet another communication breakdown with race engineer Riccardo Adami.

In the end he finished some 51 seconds behind eventual Monaco Grand Prix winner Lando Norris. A substantial gap to which a full explanation is yet to be found.