BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton Penalized for Impeding Max Verstappen During M…read more
Lewis Hamilton Penalized for Impeding Max Verstappen During Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying
Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has been handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen during qualifying for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix. Originally securing fourth place, Hamilton will now start the race from seventh on the grid.
Incident Details
The incident occurred during Q1 at the Massenet corner. Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, inadvertently obstructed Verstappen after receiving incorrect information from his race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Adami initially informed Hamilton that Verstappen was on a fast lap but then corrected himself, stating that Verstappen was slowing down. This miscommunication led Hamilton to move off the racing line, but not sufficiently to avoid impeding the Red Bull driver.
Reactions and Steward Decision
Hamilton expressed frustration over the team’s error, noting that he was attempting to stay clear of other drivers but was misled by the radio messages. Despite acknowledging the team’s mistake, the FIA stewards emphasized that such miscommunication does not absolve the driver of responsibility, resulting in the standard penalty for impeding.
Verstappen, while affected by the incident, displayed sportsmanship by stating, “It’s not Lewis’ fault.” He recognized that Hamilton was misinformed by his team and suggested that the penalty was a consequence of the team’s error rather than the driver’s intent.
Hamilton’s penalty promotes Verstappen to fourth place, with Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso moving up to fifth and sixth, respectively. The updated top seven for the Monaco Grand Prix are:
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
5. Isack Hadjar (Alpine)
6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
The penalty adds to the challenges Hamilton faces this weekend, having already dealt with a crash in final practice. With overtaking notoriously difficult on Monaco’s narrow streets, starting from seventh will require strategic acumen and skillful driving to contend for a podium finish.
