Lewis Hamilton Receives Grid Penalty for Monaco Grand Prix

By Lavesh Pillay

Lewis Hamilton has received a three-place grid penalty for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix after the stewards determined he impeded Max Verstappen during Saturday’s Qualifying session.

During the first qualifying session, television footage showed Hamilton’s Ferrari moving slowly at the entry to Turn 3 (Massenet), directly in Verstappen’s racing line while the Red Bull driver was on a fast lap. Verstappen had to adjust his trajectory and abort his push lap, clearly frustrated by the incident.

Stewards reviewed extensive evidence including video footage, telemetry, team radio communications, and in-car videos. Hamilton’s team initially informed him correctly that Verstappen was approaching on a fast lap, but a subsequent incorrect message suggesting Verstappen was slowing down caused Hamilton to accelerate and unintentionally block Verstappen’s path.

“Car 44 (Hamilton) was informed by his team that Car 1 (Verstappen) was ‘slowing down’ when, in fact, Car 1 was continuously on a push lap,” the stewards’ statement read.

Despite Hamilton’s evident frustration with the incorrect team communication, the stewards concluded this did not mitigate the penalty.

Consequently, Hamilton will drop from fourth to seventh on the grid, promoting Verstappen, Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso ahead of him. Teams and drivers involved have the right to appeal the stewards’ decision within the applicable time limits.

More 2025 Monaco Grand Prix News:

Lance Stroll Given Grid Penalty After Monaco FP1

Ollie Bearman Slapped with 10-Place Grid Penalty for Monaco GP

Lance Stroll Handed Additional Grid Penalty for Monaco Grand Prix

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