Monaco GP Qualifying: Hamilton's Penalty and Norris' Record Lap

Lewis Hamilton handed three-place grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen during Monaco GP qualifying, while Lando Norris secures pole position with record-breaking lap.

Lewis Hamilton has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the Monaco Grand Prix after impeding Max Verstappen during qualifying. The incident resulted in Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, dropping from 4th to 7th on the grid. Verstappen, meanwhile, gains a spot, moving up from 5th to 4th, alongside Oscar Piastri in 3rd.

The penalty sets up an intriguing battle for position at the Monaco Grand Prix, with Hamilton facing a tough challenge to make up ground from 7th on the grid. Verstappen's promotion to 4th could prove crucial in the championship fight, as he looks to capitalize on the grid advantage.

Lando Norris secured pole position in a thrilling qualifying session, edging out local favorite Charles Leclerc of Ferrari with a record-breaking lap in the final seconds. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton faced issues earlier in the first qualifying session when his Ferrari engineer Riccardo Adami warned him of Max Verstappen approaching on a fast lap as they navigated towards Casino Square, leading to Hamilton's misstep.

BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton receives a 3-place grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen during qualifying#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/ZRI99kq4Fz

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 24, 2025

Hamilton's mistake during the session ultimately impacted his qualifying performance, while Norris's impressive lap time handed him the top spot on the grid. The session was filled with intense competition, showcasing the skill and determination of the drivers as they battled for the coveted pole position.

Lewis Hamilton's move to his left, followed by a change in line after being told Max Verstappen was on a slow lap, upset the Dutch driver who was actually speeding towards him. Verstappen expressed his frustration, saying: “It's not nice. The team told him I was driving slow when I was clearly driving fast. It's not Lewis's fault. I already spoke to him about it. It's the team's mistake.”

The incident was just one of several events for Hamilton on a dramatic day. Earlier, he had crashed at the end of third free practice, triggering red flags and forcing Ferrari to rebuild his car for qualifying. Despite the setback, Hamilton managed to qualify fourth before receiving a three-place grid penalty for the alleged impeding incident.