Lewis Hamilton is at risk of a grid penalty ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix after being accused of impeding Max Verstappen during Qualifying 1 (Q1). The incident occurred at the Massenet corner, where Hamilton’s Ferrari was moving slowly on the racing line, forcing Verstappen to steer around him.
The Incident
The onboard footage clearly shows Verstappen having to maneuver to avoid Hamilton’s Ferrari, which prompted an investigation by the FIA stewards. The stewards have launched an official probe into the incident, and if found guilty, Hamilton could receive a grid penalty.
Potential Consequences
Given the challenging nature of the Monaco circuit, where overtaking is notoriously difficult, a grid penalty could significantly impact Hamilton’s chances of securing a good finish in the race. Hamilton qualified fourth for the Monaco GP, behind Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri.
Current Starting Grid
The current starting grid for the Monaco Grand Prix is ¹:
- 1. Lando Norris, McLaren
- 2. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
- 3. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
- 4. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Implications
If Hamilton receives a grid penalty, it could shuffle the starting order and potentially benefit other drivers. The decision is expected to be made by the FIA stewards after qualifying, and it may change the dynamics of the starting grid for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix