Hamilton: Winning in Monaco a childhood dream

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Lewis Hamilton says winning this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix would be a childhood dream come true.

The McLaren driver, who finished second to then team-mate Fernando Alonso in the principality last season, told CNN that he grew up dreaming about driving in Monaco.

"All Formula One drivers growing up have always wanted to win there," Hamilton said.

"With the atmosphere, with the one-of-a-kind circuit... it's a street circuit and every driver loves street circuits, especially me. Winning the grand prix there would just be the icing on the cake." Watch Hamilton talk about his Monaco hopes »

Hamilton said there was no room for error in Monaco. "You are on the limit the while time, there are no long straights where you have a moment to think. It is so tight and narrow, and when you consider how quick you are driving it is unreal.

"You are hitting some corners at 180mph [290kph], as you are braking down you know there is no run-off area, you can't see the exit. All you can see is directly what is in front of you, probably about 50 meters. In some corners it is almost a guess."

Renault's Fernando Alonso, who has won in Monaco the last two years, said the circuit was very special. "It's a race that I enjoy because the atmosphere is unique and driving through the town is very exciting.

"It's also a race where you can't afford to make any mistakes, and this year the race promises to be very interesting."

Alonso said Monaco was a circuit where a driver could really make the difference but Ferrari, McLaren and BMW were still ahead of the French team.

"At the moment we are fighting for seventh place but, as we saw in Istanbul, it is possible to do better if one of the favorites has a problem."

Toyota's Jarno Trulli, a previous winner in Monaco, said it was the circuit's extra risk that provided the thrill for drivers. "The guard rail is very close and it seems very fast. It is a great challenge and you need total concentration."

BMW's Nick Heidfeld summed up the risk more succinctly. "If you run out of road, there's nowhere to go except into a crash barrier."

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