BREAKING; FIA handed Lewis Hamilton 3-place Grid Drop After…read more
Lewis Hamilton Penalised for Impeding Verstappen in Monaco GP Qualifying
Lewis Hamilton will start the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix from seventh on the grid after receiving a three-place penalty for impeding Max Verstappen during Q1 of Saturday’s qualifying session. The Ferrari driver had initially secured fourth place with a solid performance around the streets of Monte Carlo, but his involvement in a key incident forced stewards to intervene.
What Happened?
The incident occurred at the Massenet corner, a high-speed section of the track where Hamilton was seen moving slowly on the racing line. Max Verstappen, who was on a flying lap in his Red Bull, had to abandon the run after encountering Hamilton’s Ferrari in his path.
Post-qualifying investigations revealed that Hamilton’s race engineer, Riccardo Adami, mistakenly informed him that Verstappen was not on a timed lap. This miscommunication led Hamilton to remain on the racing line, inadvertently blocking the Dutch driver. Despite the lack of intent and Ferrari’s swift acknowledgment of the error, the FIA stewards applied the standard penalty for impeding during qualifying sessions demoting Hamilton three places.
Grid Changes
The penalty triggers a reshuffling of the top 10:
- Max Verstappen is elevated to P4, improving his chances on a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult.
- Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso also benefit, moving up to P5 and P6 respectively.
- Hamilton will now have to battle his way up from seventh, a daunting task on the tight Monaco circuit.
Pole Position Drama
In a surprise turn, Lando Norris snatched pole position for McLaren with a breathtaking lap of 1:09.954, the fastest ever recorded in Monaco qualifying. He narrowly beat Charles Leclerc, the local favorite, by just 0.109 seconds, while Oscar Piastri secured P3 in a strong showing for McLaren.
Norris’s pole sets up a thrilling showdown at the front, with the likes of Leclerc, Piastri, and now Verstappen poised to challenge for victory. The qualifying results also mark a major statement from McLaren, who have shown strong pace throughout the weekend.
The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix is set to take place on Sunday, May 25, with lights out scheduled for 2:00 PM local time (CEST). Strategy, timing, and track position will be crucial, especially for Hamilton, who faces a steep challenge if he hopes to reach the podium.
With a reshuffled grid and close competition among the top teams, fans can expect a strategic and potentially chaotic race through the narrow, unforgiving streets of Monte Carlo.
