Lewis Hamilton’s Crash in FP3 Brings Out Late....

Lewis Hamilton’s Crash in FP3 Brings Out Late….read more

The build-up to the Monaco Grand Prix took a dramatic turn during the final practice session (FP3) when seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton crashed into the barriers, prompting race officials to deploy a late red flag. The incident occurred at Turn 3 on the tight and twisty streets of Monte Carlo, bringing Hamilton’s session to a premature end and raising concerns ahead of qualifying.

Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari after making a sensational switch from Mercedes, lost control of his car as he accelerated uphill through the narrow and unforgiving section of the Monaco street circuit. He experienced a sudden snap of oversteer—when the rear of the car steps out unexpectedly—causing the car to slide sideways and hit the wall. The impact damaged the right-hand side of his Ferrari significantly, and although Hamilton was uninjured, his Ferrari team faced a race against time to assess and repair the car before qualifying.

The crash happened late in the session, leading to a red flag as marshals worked to recover Hamilton’s stricken car and clear the track. With the session already nearing its end, the red flag effectively halted any further running, denying drivers valuable final laps around one of the most technically demanding circuits on the Formula 1 calendar.

Hamilton had been pushing hard during FP3, attempting to extract maximum performance from his Ferrari ahead of what is often a grid-defining qualifying session in Monaco. Overtaking during the race is notoriously difficult on the narrow streets, making track position crucial. Drivers often take extra risks during practice in an effort to perfect their lines and braking points, and in Hamilton’s case, that risk did not pay off.

Replays of the crash showed Hamilton’s car snapping out of alignment just as he crested the hill past the Sainte Devote corner. Unable to regain control, the car slid across the track and made heavy contact with the barrier, leaving the right-hand side of the vehicle with visible damage to the suspension and bodywork. Hamilton was able to climb out of the car without assistance and appeared unharmed, walking back to the garage to debrief with his engineers.

Team radio communications in the moments after the crash reflected Hamilton’s frustration, though the team maintained a calm and measured response. Ferrari mechanics quickly sprang into action, analyzing the damage and beginning the complex task of making the car ready for qualifying.

This crash added to what has already been a challenging weekend for Hamilton, who has been seeking to find a strong rhythm with his new team. While flashes of pace have been evident throughout the practice sessions, consistency has been elusive, and the crash only adds to the pressure as the team prepares for the all-important qualifying hour.

The incident also caused disruptions for other drivers who were on flying laps or preparing for a final stint in FP3. With only minutes remaining, the red flag left little time for any meaningful running once the session resumed, if at all.

For Hamilton and Ferrari, all eyes are now on the garage as they work to ensure the car is in peak condition for the next session. With Monaco’s qualifying known for its high stakes and unforgiving nature, the team will need to bring their best efforts forward to salvage a competitive starting position for Sunday’s race.

Hamilton, with decades of experience and seven world titles to his name, has shown time and again that he can bounce back from setbacks. Whether he can do the same this weekend on one of Formula 1’s toughest tracks remains to be seen.