Last Updated on May 25 2025, 8:08 am

Verstappen moves up after Hamilton hit with grid penalty in Monaco shake-up – Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of a strong performance at the Monaco Grand Prix were dealt a severe blow late on Saturday night when the stewards handed the Ferrari driver a three-place grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen in Q1. The sanction drops Hamilton from fourth to seventh on the grid and provides a valuable boost to his rivals – including Verstappen, who directly inherits Hamilton’s second row slot.

The decision came after a review of an incident in the first part of qualifying when Verstappen, on a hot lap, was visibly held up by Hamilton as he headed towards the iconic Casino Square. The Red Bull driver unexpectedly caught the Ferrari, jeopardising his lap as the Briton failed to move aside quickly enough in the narrow streets of Monte Carlo.

After the session, Hamilton was summoned to the stewards’ office and shown video footage of the incident. The 40-year-old, who had initially secured P4 with a solid qualifying performance, was promptly informed of his demotion.

The setback means the seven-time world champion will now start from seventh on the grid, behind Verstappen, who had a surprisingly subdued qualifying session by his own high standards. Also benefiting from the reshuffle are Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who both move up a position as a result of the penalty.

Fernando throws Aston under the bus

 

More penalties add to Monaco grid chaos

Hamilton wasn’t the only driver to face the wrath of the stewards on a dramatic day in the Principality. Haas replacement Ollie Bearman, who had been enjoying a promising weekend, was handed a massive ten-place grid penalty for overtaking under red flag conditions in the opening free practice session.

It’s a costly rookie mistake that could ruin what was shaping up to be an important weekend for the young Briton as he looks to impress ahead of a potential full-time drive in 2026.

Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll also suffered a penalty, albeit a milder one. The Canadian was dropped a grid position for rear-ending Charles Leclerc during one of the practice sessions, a relatively minor collision in terms of damage, but enough to warrant a formal penalty under the Monaco microscope.

As a result of these multiple infractions, the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix has been significantly reshuffled, with several drivers moving up in the order – and others being forced to fight their way through the notoriously unforgiving streets of Monte Carlo.

How Leclerc missed a historic pole in Monaco

 

Norris seals stunning pole in Monaco thriller

Amid the chaos, Lando Norris stole the limelight with a last-gasp flyer to take pole position – his first of the season and a significant statement from McLaren in this year’s fierce title battle.

The Briton had trailed Charles Leclerc throughout all three practice sessions, but when it mattered most, he delivered under pressure. In the dying seconds of Q3, Norris crossed the line to take pole position by the narrowest of margins, knocking Leclerc off the top step and sending the McLaren garage into a frenzy.

“This pole is a really big deal for me, and not just because it’s Monaco,” said Norris after the session. “I’ve been waiting for this for a while, so it feels good.”

Leclerc, who had looked the man to beat on home soil all weekend, was visibly disappointed to miss out on pole, but will still start from the front row in P2 – albeit with even more pressure on his shoulders. He has never won his home Grand Prix and knows that Sunday’s opening lap could be his best chance, given the difficulty of overtaking on the tight Monaco circuit.

McLaren offer Red Herring explanation of their tyre management

 

Piastri on the hunt as championship leader eyes clean start

Championship leader Oscar Piastri, who starts the weekend at the top of the standings, took P3 in qualifying. The Australian now finds himself directly behind team-mates Norris and Leclerc on the grid, with Verstappen looming large just one place behind.

Piastri has emerged as a real contender this season, leading the standings with consistent performances and a tactical maturity beyond his years. But Monaco will be the real test of his title credentials. With Verstappen now closer to the grid than initially thought and Red Bull showing signs of recovery after a mixed start to the weekend, Piastri will need a perfect start and even better tyre management if he’s to maintain his lead in the championship.

Monaco mystery as teams plot new strategies

 

Tight field promises fireworks on Sunday

The compressed nature of this year’s Monaco grid promises drama. With Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Verstappen and Alonso now in the top six, all five drivers have either recent wins or championship experience – and all have something to prove.

For Norris, it’s confirming that the McLaren car is championship material. For Leclerc, it’s about finally ending his Monaco jinx. For Piastri, it’s a chance to show he can control the pressure at the front. Verstappen, for his part, has been visibly frustrated with the car this weekend, but a sudden rise to P4 gives him a real shot at victory. And Alonso, who now starts from P6 thanks to Hamilton’s penalty, will be looking to capitalise on the slightest mistake from his opponents.

Further back, Hamilton’s demotion to seventh puts him in a vulnerable position at the start, surrounded by younger, hungrier drivers on a circuit where even the smallest mistake can bring a race to a halt. For Ferrari, the internal dynamics will be fascinating to watch – Leclerc needs the win, but Hamilton may have the racing skills to climb back into contention.

Humiliation as Verstappen bursts out laughing in the middle of the race

 

Sunday set for high-stakes showdown

With multiple penalties shaking up the grid and the top ten separated by tenths of a second, the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix is shaping up to be a nail-biting showdown. While overtaking may be rare, pit strategy, track position and mental toughness will all come into play.

If Norris can hold off Leclerc’s charging Ferrari into Turn 1, the McLaren driver could have one hand on the winner’s trophy by the time the sun sets on Sunday. But with Verstappen, Piastri and a fired-up Hamilton all looking to spoil the party, there’s every chance that Monaco could add another twist to what has already been a wild and unpredictable 2025 season.

How Leclerc missed a historic pole in Monaco

 

MORE F1 NEWS – Sainz demands an extreme alteration to Monaco

Sainz calls for radical overhaul of qualifying as Monaco traffic raises safety concerns – The glitz and glamour of Monaco may captivate spectators, but behind the wheel it’s fast becoming a logistical nightmare. With overtaking virtually impossible and the walls ever-closer, the streets of Monte Carlo demand perfection.

But, as Carlos Sainz pointed out in a fiery call for change, the current qualifying format is pushing drivers beyond frustration – and into potentially dangerous territory. Williams driver Carlos Sainz has joined a growing chorus of criticism over the traditional full-field qualifying format used at Monaco, insisting it is time to adopt a split-session approach similar to that used in Formula 2 and Formula 3…. READ MORE ON THIS STORY