How Lewis Hamilton’s best Monaco Grand Prix pole lap compares to ‘phenomenal’ Michael Schumacher effort

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The Monaco Grand Prix is the most unique and iconic race on the Formula 1 calendar. It’s widely considered to be the greatest test of a driver’s skill.

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has won the race on three occasions. It doesn’t rank among his best circuits – there are 13 where he’s been more successful – but he’s still had some special moments in the principality.

He won in wet conditions in 2008, his first championship season, despite puncturing his tyre when he hit the wall. At Mercedes, he took another victory in changeable conditions in 2016, albeit after Red Bull’s pit-stop inexplicable pit-stop error cost Daniel Ricciardo.

Hamilton also held off Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in 2019, though that remains his last Monaco win. It’s also his only converted pole on the 2.1-mile circuit after he lost out in 2015.

His fellow seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher collected three Monaco poles during his career. But his most memorable lap came in 2012, even if he lost pole due to a five-place gearbox penalty.

Schumacher’s F1 comeback with Mercedes was largely disappointing. But that made his lap – just under a tenth quicker than Red Bull’s Mark Webber – even more special, perhaps the final glimpse of his F1 greatness.

Lewis Hamilton’s 2015 Monaco Grand Prix pole lap was slower than Michael Schumacher in 2012

Hamilton’s 2015 pole was also magnificent. Mercedes were so dominant that Nico Rosberg was his only real challenger, but a 0.342-second margin on such a short lap can’t be ignored.

• READ MORE: Seven unforgettable Monaco GP moments including Senna vs Mansell and Schumacher’s controversy

Intriguingly, Schumacher’s 2012 effort was eight-tenths faster – a 1:14.301 vs a 1:15.098. These were different generations of cars, with each coming alive in particular corners.

A comparison of the two laps shows that Hamilton made it to the apex of turn one first. But slight oversteer for the British driver compromised him on the blast up the hill towards Massenet, allowing Schumacher to edge ahead.

The rear stepped out on Hamilton again at Casino Square, which meant Schumacher stretched his advantage into Mirabeau. The German made use of his more agile car through the Loewe’s hairpin and Portier too.

Hamilton couldn’t make inroads through the tunnel, and Schumacher’s superior grip really started to become clear as he entered the swimming pool section. At Rascasse, there was a clear difference in steering angles – the 2015 car required a full 180 degrees, while the 2012 challenger was more compliant.

There were small slides for Schumacher at the last two corners, where Hamilton made gains. But that wasn’t enough to deny him what Anthony Davidson called a ‘phenomenal’ pole (of sorts).

Michael Schumacher first noticed Lewis Hamilton at one extaordinary GP2 race

Schumacher and Hamilton only shared the track for three years, but their careers are inescapably intertwined. The former initially retired at the end of 2006, just before the latter’s rookie campaign.

Schumacher knew Hamilton was special after his ‘tremendous’ performance in the Turkey GP2 round. He charged from the back of the field to second after spinning early on.

Mercedes coaxed the Regenmeister back into action in 2010. Schumacher called Hamilton ‘not very nice’ after an impending dispute in Australia, but they were involved in a gripping battle at the Italian GP a year later.

When Schumacher walked away for good at the end of 2012, the Mercedes seat was open for Hamilton. And he would go on to surpass his predecessor’s achievements across 12 historic seasons with the Silver Arrows.