Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari driver receives three-place Monaco Grand Prix grid penalty for … read more…

Lewis Hamilton Penalized for Impeding Max Verstappen in Monaco Qualifying

Lewis Hamilton, currently driving for Ferrari, has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix following an incident during qualifying. The penalty drops him from fourth to seventh on the starting grid.

The Incident

During Q3 of qualifying, Hamilton was informed by his team that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was on a cooldown lap. However, Verstappen was actually on a flying lap. As a result, Hamilton inadvertently impeded Verstappen’s progress, forcing the Dutch driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision. The stewards reviewed the incident and determined that Hamilton’s actions warranted a three-place grid penalty .

Team’s Response

Ferrari acknowledged the error and accepted responsibility for the miscommunication. Hamilton, too, expressed his frustration over the misleading information and issued an apology to Verstappen. Despite these acknowledgments, the stewards emphasized that the penalty was in line with standard procedures for such infringements .

Impact on the Race

The Monaco Grand Prix is known for its narrow and challenging circuit, where overtaking opportunities are limited. Qualifying positions are crucial, and Hamilton’s grid penalty places him at a disadvantage. With Lando Norris securing pole position and Charles Leclerc starting from second, Hamilton will need to navigate a competitive field to make progress during the race .

Looking Ahead

As the race approaches, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see how he adapts to the challenging conditions of the Monaco circuit. His performance will be closely watched, especially given the high stakes of the championship standings.