Formula 1 News: Norris wins key pole for 2025 GP of Monaco (Update)

Lewis Hamilton has been handed a three-place grid penalty following an impeding incident with Max Verstappen in Monaco Grand Prix qualifying.

The Ferrari driver was on a cool-down lap approaching Massanet with Verstappen on a flying lap, but was forced to abort following the near-miss.

Hamilton had been informed that Verstappen was on a slow lap by engineer Riccardo Adami, but this was a mistake, leading to the incident.

Hamilton ended the session in fourth place, which was due to be his highest starting position of the year for a grand prix.

However, the seven-time champion has been bumped back to seventh on the grid for Sunday’s race.

His demotion sees Verstappen, Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso move up to fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

2025 GP of Monaco Qualifying Results (Revised)

*Three place grid penalty

Lando Norris turned a lap of 1m09.954s in his superior McLaren to win the all-important pole position for the 2025 GP of Monaco Formula 1 race. It was a new track record.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

McLaren used a tactic that gave the McLaren drivers an extra lap in Q3 qualifying and Norris was able to beat the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc by 0.109s who has topped all the practice sessions this weekend.

Starting position is paramount here at Monaco, but with two mandatory stops for tomorrow’s race, anything can happen.

“It’s been a long time coming. I feel good,” said Norris.

“I don’t think you realize how good this feels after quite a few struggles over the past few months. And here, a hard place to do it and up against the hometown hero as well.

“The team have done an amazing job so thanks to everyone – as these days don’t come easy. It was a nice lap, it feels very good when you cross the line and it all pays off so I’m very happy.”

“There is always something more to be done, but this was the best we could do,” said Leclerc.

“The first lap was a shame as it gives you the confidence in the second lap, but I had traffic. It is what it is, very frustrated.

“We know we don’t have the car to go for wins but starting second here… We know it will be hard to go for first place. I like city tracks, I like to go all in and take risks. I’m proud – at the end of the day, it’s not too bad.”

Oscar Piastri will line up third in the 2nd superior McLaren, 0.175s behind teammate Norris.

“Intense, as it always is around here,” said Oscar Piastri. “My first lap felt good, my second lap – a mistake in the chicane and I left a little out there but to beat Lando today was going to be tough so well done to him.

“A messy weekend, so to come out with third is good. I think I’ve hit more walls this weekend than I have my whole career.”

Lewis Hamilton will line up 4th in the second Ferrari, 0.428s behind Norris.

Max Verstappen made a slight mistake on his second Q3 run and could not improve his time.  He will line up 5th, 0.715s behind Norris, on a track Red Bull knew their car would not be fast.

Isack Hadjar qualified a strong 6th for Racing Bull, 0.969s behind Norris. More important he beat Yuki Tsunoda who could do no better than 12th in the same Red Bull sled that Verstappen is driving.

There is a mandatory two-stop race tomorrow. That could throw up some interesting strategies, some team orders and a few drivers trying to hold up other drivers for their teammate.

Norris said he isn’t even going to think about those strategic permutations until later, which seems fair enough.

But they are coming, and add a big unknown into the mix for tomorrow.

2025 GP of Monaco Qualifying Results