McLaren’s Fernando Alonso labelled the Monaco Grand Prix as “probably the most boring Formula 1 race ever”, after he retired from proceedings.
The leading six cars all converted their grid position through to the chequered flag while Alonso held seventh place until a transmission problem slowed his pace, leading to his retirement.
Alonso, who missed last year’s Monaco Grand Prix in order to contest the Indianapolis 500, was scathing of the race in the aftermath, reckoning spectators warranted a partial refund.
“Probably it’s the most boring race ever in Formula 1,” said Alonso.
“I think in Monaco with these wide cars, no Safety Cars, no yellow flags, nothing.
“I think probably we need to give something to the fans at the end of the race to pay a little bit back their ticket
“It’s just Monaco. We know how it is. I think it was quite boring, without a Safety Car, without anything.
“We just start in our qualifying position more or less and we run until the chequered flag in that position.”
Alonso described his failure to finish as “painful” as McLaren slipped further behind Renault in the battle for fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
“I had a loss of power first of all and then I was stuck in fifth gear somehow,” he said.
“We had the first retirement of the year. It is painful because we were seventh and it is good points, but it is the way it is.
“We’ve been in Q3 in Barcelona, Q3 here. It would be nice to keep that trend in the next coming races and confirm our progress.
“I think Canada is going to be challenging. It’s a tough circuit with long straights. Our lack of speed is maybe a penalty there. It will be a good test for us.”
