BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton Involved in ‘Unacceptable’ Incident D…read more
Lewis Hamilton Involved in ‘Unacceptable’ Incident During Monaco GP FP1 — Raises Alarming Safety Concerns
MONACO — The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix weekend began on a dramatic note as Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, was involved in a heart-stopping incident during Free Practice 1 (FP1) that many in the paddock have since called “unacceptable.” The Briton’s high-speed encounter with a raised kerb and heavy traffic in the notoriously narrow Monte Carlo circuit highlighted long-standing concerns over safety and logistics on the famed street track.
A High-Flying Scare in Monte Carlo
During a flying lap in FP1 on the sun-soaked streets of Monaco, Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, found himself hemmed in by a cluster of slow-moving cars in the Piscine chicane — one
of the fastest and most unforgiving sections of the circuit. Attempting to navigate through the congestion and continue his hot lap, Hamilton was forced to veer sharply and ride over one of the circuit’s raised kerbs. The maneuver launched his SF-25 momentarily into the air before it landed with a harsh thud, causing sparks to fly as the undertray of the car scraped the tarmac.
Hamilton immediately reported the incident over team radio, saying, “Ah f*** mate, so much traffic. I have to box mate, I’ve just gone completely over the kerb mate.” His voice conveyed a mix of exasperation and concern as he limped the car back to the pits.
Although the Ferrari sustained no serious damage, the visual of Hamilton’s car airborne on a tight circuit with concrete walls mere inches away was enough to reignite the ever-present debate about whether Monaco’s aging layout is suitable for modern Formula 1 machinery.
Performance and Frustration
Despite the scare, Hamilton managed to clock 30 laps during the session and posted a best time of 1:12.690, placing him ninth overall — a respectable showing considering the circumstances. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, delivered a standout performance in front of his home crowd, topping the session with a lap of 1:11.964.
However, even Leclerc’s session was not without drama. Early in FP1, the Monegasque driver was involved in a collision with Lance Stroll of Aston Martin. The incident resulted in a one-place grid penalty for Stroll, who was deemed at fault by the stewards, and he was also handed a penalty point on his super license.
Drivers React
Hamilton was not the only one expressing frustration. Several drivers raised concerns about track congestion during practice runs. With modern F1 cars being both wider and faster than ever before, the lack of adequate space in Monaco makes every practice and qualifying session a logistical nightmare.
“It’s just chaos out there,” said one unnamed team principal. “It’s a miracle we don’t see more serious crashes during these sessions. Lewis’s moment could have been catastrophic.”
Carlos Sainz, who finished in the top five during FP1, echoed similar sentiments, urging the FIA and Formula 1 organizers to review the safety measures and traffic management procedures specifically for Monaco.
A Landmark Race with Mounting Scrutiny
Monaco has long held a revered place in the F1 calendar. Its glamour, history, and challenge are unmatched. But as car dimensions and speeds have evolved, the circuit has come under increasing scrutiny for being too tight and too unforgiving for modern machinery. The Hamilton incident has once again sparked debate among fans and experts over whether Monaco needs a redesign or if alternative formats for race weekend — such as shorter qualifying groups or adjusted layouts — should be considered.
Despite the criticism, Hamilton struck a more composed tone after the session. “Monaco is Monaco. It’s the most beautiful challenge we face, but also the most difficult. Today was one of those moments where you realize just how little margin for error there is,” he told reporters in the paddock. “I hope the FIA looks at ways to make it safer, especially in traffic-heavy zones.”
Ferrari’s Progress and Championship Stakes
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season brought immense expectations. Though the campaign began modestly, he showed promising form in Imola last week with a strong finish. His current position — sixth in the championship standings — is only nine points adrift of teammate Leclerc, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris lead the title chase, trailed closely by reigning champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
With Monaco traditionally being a circuit where track position is everything, qualifying performance on Saturday will be crucial. Hamilton and Ferrari will be hoping for a cleaner, more productive FP2 and FP3 to gather the data they need for a strong qualifying session.
Moving Forward
The FIA has not yet commented on the incident, but insiders suggest the governing body is closely reviewing footage and telemetry data. Some teams have already called for modifications to kerb profiles and the consideration of new virtual flagging zones to help drivers manage traffic more safely during practice sessions.
As Monaco continues to hold its place as the crown jewel of the Formula 1 calendar, incidents like Hamilton’s serve as a stark reminder that tradition must not come at the cost of safety.
The eyes of the motorsport world now turn to the rest of the weekend’s proceedings, where both redemption and risk await on every corner of Monte Carlo.
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