Lewis Hamilton CRASH sparks late red flag...

Lewis Hamilton CRASH sparks late red flag…read more

Lewis Hamilton’s return to the streets of Monte Carlo took a dramatic turn after the seven-time Formula 1 world champion crashed during the opening free practice session (FP1) at the Monaco Grand Prix. The incident occurred in the closing minutes of the session, bringing out a red flag and disrupting the flow of early race preparations.

Driving for Ferrari this season, Hamilton was pushing to find the limits on the tight, twisting circuit that winds through the iconic streets of Monaco. As he ascended the steep incline toward Turn 3, Hamilton appeared to suffer a sudden snap of oversteer. The rear of the car lost grip just as he was exiting the corner, causing him to lose control and slide sideways into the barriers.

The impact was significant enough to cause noticeable damage to the right-hand side of the car, particularly the front suspension and side pod. While Hamilton was able to bring the car to a stop safely, the session was red-flagged to allow track marshals to clear the wreckage and assess the scene for safety.

Although Hamilton was unharmed and managed to exit the car under his own power, the Ferrari garage now faces a race against time to repair the damage before the second practice session (FP2). The crash not only affects Hamilton’s track time for the day but could also limit valuable data collection for Ferrari, which is crucial for qualifying and race strategy.

The Monaco Grand Prix is famously one of the most challenging circuits in the Formula 1 calendar. Its narrow streets, unforgiving barriers, and minimal run-off areas demand precision and leave no margin for error. Even the most experienced drivers are prone to mistakes here, and Hamilton’s incident is a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong in the Principality.

Before the crash, Hamilton had been steadily improving his lap times, working through various setup changes and tire compounds. Early session telemetry indicated that Ferrari was testing both soft and medium tire stints, with Hamilton appearing comfortable behind the wheel until the ill-fated moment.

Trackside commentators noted that the rear end of Hamilton’s car seemed particularly lively on corner exits, suggesting the Ferrari might have been set up with a more aggressive rear bias to improve rotation in the tight corners. However, that same setup could have contributed to the oversteer that caused the crash.

Ferrari’s team principal, speaking to media shortly after the session, confirmed that the team would be evaluating the full extent of the damage and focusing on getting Hamilton’s car ready for the next session. He praised Hamilton’s feedback and resilience, emphasizing the importance of staying focused despite the setback.

Meanwhile, rival teams took note of the incident but continued with their own programs as the session resumed briefly after the cleanup. The red flag shortened FP1 slightly, forcing all teams to adjust their schedules and compress their run plans.

Hamilton’s crash comes at a crucial time in the season, as Ferrari looks to mount a serious challenge to Red Bull and Mercedes. With the Monaco circuit offering few overtaking opportunities, a strong qualifying performance is vital, making practice sessions like FP1 even more valuable.

Despite the setback, Hamilton remains one of the most skilled and determined drivers on the grid. He’s had previous successes at Monaco, and fans will be watching closely to see how he bounces back in the remaining sessions. If anyone can recover quickly from an early incident and find the pace again, it’s Lewis Hamilton.