MANAMA — Lewis Hamilton has backed Jenson Button to replace Fernando Alonso at the Monaco Grand Prix and said he would like to take part in a MotoGP race in the future.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, where the Mercedes driver expects a very close race in torrid heat against Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, the three-time champion said he welcomed the idea that Formula One drivers should race in other series.
“I think it’s great that a driver is able to do that,” Hamilton said of Spaniard Alonso’s switch to the Indianapolis 500, instead of the Monaco Grand Prix, next month.
“I think us drivers should be able to do more than one series. There was a period of time in the past where there were drivers doing multiple series. I think it’s pretty cool that he’s doing it.”
Alonso will race at Indianapolis for a team entered by McLaren, Honda and Andretti Autosport.
Hamilton added: “I wouldn’t miss any of the races in F1 — I’d definitely continue to do all the races. I’d like to do MotoGP. I’d like to ride a MotoGP race and probably a NASCAR race like the Daytona 500, maybe....”
Briton Button remains contracted to McLaren after making way for Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne to partner Alonso this season. — Reuters
