Lando Norris slashed Oscar Piastri’s title lead after navigating the two-stop strategy puzzle to clinch his first Monaco Grand Prix victory.
The British driver converted pole into the win around the famed streets of Monte Carlo as he held off home favourite Charles Leclerc in the closing stages.
EXCLUSIVE - George Russell: ‘F1 is riding a wave – but it won’t take much for it to come crashing down’
The new two-stop rule failed to make a huge impact on the standings, as the top four retained their order before being unable to pass in the final stages – with Leclerc second, Piastri third and Max Verstappen fourth. Victory meant Norris cut his McLaren team-mate’s championship lead to three points.
Lewis Hamilton gained two places to finish fifth but was almost a minute off the lead. George Russell ultimately finished 11th.
Follow live coverage of the Monaco GP with The Independent
F1 MONACO GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- Lando Norris wins the Monaco GP; Leclerc 2nd; Piastri 3rd
- Click HERE for the top-10
- Lewis Hamilton irritated with Ferrari F1 race engineer: ‘Are you upset with me?’
- CRASH! Gasly collides with Tsunoda (Lap 9/78)
- EXCLUSIVE - George Russell: ‘F1 is riding a wave – but it won’t take much for it to come crashing down’
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff on two-stop rule:
19:00 , Kieran Jackson“No, we had to try something. This is such great entertainment, full grandstands. Lots of spectacle.
“And then Saturday is the day where the sport comes alive, we tried something, it didn’t work – we need to define a maximum lap time.”
George Russell after finishing P11:
18:15 , Kieran Jackson“That’s Monaco, that’s how the game goes. We didn’t expect Williams and Visa Cash App to do the same, that’s the only way to score points in Monaco. At one point, I was like screw it – I just wanted to enjoy Monaco.
“I got 25 laps full gas in Monaco, even with the drive-through I finished higher than I would have been without the drive-through. Bit of a flawed system.”
RACE REPORT: Lando Norris keeps his cool to win Monaco Grand Prix and cut Oscar Piastri’s lead
17:52 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris slashed Oscar Piastri’s title lead after navigating the two-stop strategy puzzle to clinch his first Monaco Grand Prix victory.
The British driver converted pole into the win around the famed streets of Monte Carlo as he held off home favourite Charles Leclerc in the closing stages.
It was a slow and controversial race of strategy, game-playing and tactics. The event is the jewel in the Formula One crown and undoubtedly the most famous on the 24-race calendar.
Lando Norris keeps his cool to win Monaco Grand Prix and cut Oscar Piastri’s lead
Max Verstappen after finishing P4:
17:29 , Kieran Jackson“You can’t race here anyway - one stop, 10 stops, even at the end I was in the lead, my tyres were gone but you can’t pass.
“These days, in an F1 car, you can just about pass an F2 car.
“I get it, it hasn’t worked. We were almost doing Mario Kart. Maybe you can throw bananas around!”
Lando Norris after winning in Monaco:
16:48 , Kieran Jackson“It feels amazing, it’s a long, gruelling race. Good fun, the last corner was nervous with Charles behind and Max ahead, but we won in Monaco - an amazing weekend with pole and today, this is what I did dream of - I achieved one of my dreams!
“The worst bit was the end, I felt under control all race. It was still a well fought race, very happy! We’re going to have a wonderful night!”
Charles Leclerc after finishing P2:
16:25 , Kieran JacksonHappy? “Not really, we lost the race yesterday, Lando did a better job this weekend. It’s above our expectations, I thought being in the top-10 would be a challenge - second, close to first. But I wish I’d won!
“Max was waiting for a red flag, it wasn’t enough!”
Time for the podium in Monaco!
16:03 , Kieran JacksonNorris is a very proud man as the British national anthem plays out on top of the podium!
Norris has cut the championship lead to three points to teammate Oscar Piastri in the process!
TOP-10 IN MONACO GRAND PRIX
15:591. Lando Norris
2. Charles Leclerc
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Max Verstappen
5. Lewis Hamilton
6. Isack Hadjar
7. Esteban Ocon
8. Liam Lawson
9. Alex Albon
10. Carlos Sainz
Lando Norris:
15:52 , Kieran Jackson“Monaco baby! We did it, well done. We won in Monaco, that’s a dream! Unbelievable job, amazing weekend, thank you so much!”
Lando Norris wins the Monaco Grand Prix!
15:44 , Kieran JacksonIt was tight in the end - but Lando Norris has done it!
His first win in Monaco and his first win since the season-opener in Australia!
Leclerc tried his best but has to settle for second, with Piastri in third!
4-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Hadjar, Ocon, Lawson, Albon, Sainz
Max Verstappen pits! (Lap 78/78)
15:42 , Kieran JacksonAhead of the final lap, Verstappen does pit!
He comes back out in fourth!
Final lap!
Leclerc just 0.4 seconds behind Norris! (Lap 76/78)
15:41 , Kieran JacksonThree laps to go!
Norris, Leclerc and Piastri seperated by less than a second!
Verstappen in P1 is now 1.3 seconds clear... but is about to come into the pits!
Leclerc:
15:39 , Kieran Jackson“He’s doing many mistakes at the moment!”
Piastri has now closed up to the rear of Leclerc - it’s very tight between the top four!
Lando Norris on team radio:
15:35 , Kieran Jackson“Max is just backing me up, he’s not even pushing.”
Leclerc is now just 0.4 seconds behind Norris... but there is simply nowhere to overtake!
Can Norris keep his cool?!
Max Verstappen still in front! (Lap 64/78)
15:29State of play: Verstappen is in P1 but is mandated to pit again!
If he pitted, Verstappen would come out in fourth (where he started). So the Dutchman looks set to extend his stint at the front as long as possible to see if there’s a red flag!
Leclerc is now 0.8 seconds behind Norris but, inevitably, no overtaking opportunities on the track!
Albon and Sainz have re-swapped too, so Albon back up to P9!
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, Hadjar, Ocon, Lawson, Albon, Sainz
Verstappen is going slower! (Lap 58/78)
15:19 , Kieran JacksonChaos beyond P5... but it’s hotting up a bit at the front!
Norris is now within DRS of Verstappen (who still needs to pit), but Leclerc is now just 1.1 seconds behind Norris!
Is Verstappen trying to cause an issue between Norris and Leclerc?!
Max Verstappen leads!
15:17 , Kieran JacksonSo Verstappen is ahead but still needs to pit once more - he’s holding out for a VSC or a red flag!
Norris is 1.9 seconds behind the Dutchman.
3-10: Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, Hadjar, Ocon, Lawson, Sainz, Russell
Hamilton pits and comes out still in fifth - but a whopping 31 seocnds behind Piastri!
Russell told about drive-through penalty:
15:14 , Kieran Jackson“To be honest, I prefer not to speak.”
Jose Mourinho treatment from Russell!
Norris pits! (Lap 51/78)
15:12Norris also makes his second pit-stop - and comes out in second, 4.3-seconds behind Verstappen!
Meanwhile, Russell has cut the corner on Albon to get ahead of the Williams - and has been given a 20-second drive through penalty!
Ah dear - makes a mockery of these rules!
Charles Leclerc pits! (Lap 50/78)
15:08 , Kieran JacksonA 2.2-second stop for the Ferrari man, with Leclerc coming out in third - ahead of Piastri by nine seconds!
Everyone up to Hadjar in sixth has now been lapped - seems a bit ridiculous!
Piastri pits! (Lap 49/78)
15:07 , Kieran JacksonPiastri pits and drops to fourth, behind Verstappen.
Will the Red Bull respond?
Lando Norris has a six-second lead! (Lap 45/78)
15:05 , Kieran JacksonNot a lot to speak of here.... Norris has a six-second lead to Leclerc, who is nine seconds clear of Piastri.
Verstappen is 1.2 seconds behind Piastri.
5-10: Hamilton, Hadjar, Ocon, Lawson, Sainz, Albon
Sainz and Albon have swapped, but the Spaniard has not pitted yet!
Norris is about to catch the pack for the second time!
Fernando Alonso retires! (Lap 38/78)
14:55Smoke coming out the back of Alonso’s Aston!
The Spaniard does head off-track in parking the car - no safety car!
Every car up to eighth has now been lapped by Norris!
Norris’ engineer: “The gap to Leclerc is 5.0, we should use our pace now.”
Max Verstappen:
14:47 , Kieran Jackson“Ah my shifts feel like Monaco Grand Prix 1972!”
Verstappen in fourth is 2.2 seconds off Piastri in third, and the Dutchman has a four-second lead to Hamilton!
Norris laps Russell! (Lap 32/78)
14:46 , Kieran JacksonNot even halfway through and Norris has lapped Russell in 12th!
Norris has cleared the traffic and is away...
Russell and Antonelli, in 12th and 13th, are two of five cars who are yet to pit at all!
Max Verstappen pits! (Lap 28/78)
14:45 , Kieran JacksonInevitably, Verstappen pits - 2.3 seconds - and the Dutchman comes out in fourth - behind Piastri but ahead of Hamilton.
Aside from Hadjar - who has pitted twice - it’s as you were!
Norris’ gap to Leclerc is four seconds now...
Top-10: Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Hadjar, Lawson, Albon, Ocon
Max Verstappen: (Lap 27/78)
14:41 , Kieran JacksonVerstappen: “My tyres don’t look good.”
A lot of the field driving slowly, playing the team game and trying to stretch gaps for their teammates!
Verstappen’s lead to Norris: seven seconds.
Charles Leclerc pits! (Lap 22/78)
14:35 , Kieran JacksonA rapid two-second stop for the Ferrari driver, who comes out behind Norris but crucially ahead of Piastri!
Max Verstappen, yet to pit, is now in the lead!
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, Alonso, Ocon, Hadjar, Lawson, Albon
Mercedes’ Russell and Antonelli, in 12th and 13th, have not pitted yet - unsure what their strategy is!
Oscar Piastri pits! (Lap 21/78)
14:32 , Kieran JacksonEngineer: “Box to overtake Leclerc, Oscar!”
But it’s a slow 3.7-second stop!
Will Leclerc or Verstappen ahead pit themselves?
Lando Norris pits! (Lap 20/78)
14:31 , Kieran JacksonThe race leader pits - 2.7 seconds - and rejoins in fourth!
Charles Leclerc takes the lead! Will anyone else respond?
Leclerc has a 3.1-second lead to Piastri, now in P2.
Hadjar has pitted again - stop No 2 - and is now out in eighth!
Lewis Hamilton pits! (Lap 19/78)
14:30 , Kieran JacksonA quick 2.1-second stop - and Hamilton is back out in fifth!
Lewis Hamilton, now in P5:
14:28 , Kieran JacksonHamilton: “What do you need from me?”
Engineer: “Push now this is our race.”
Fernando Alonso pits and comes out in seventh...
Isack Hadjar pits! (Lap 15/78)
14:25 , Kieran JacksonHadjar the first frontrunner to pit - he drops from fifth to eighth, and has switched to soft tyres!
At the front, Norris is two seconds clear of Leclerc - who is three seconds ahead of Piastri.
Leclerc: “What do you want me to do? Keep pushing or....?”
Ferrari: “Plan B, stick with Norris.”
F1 Monaco GP!
14:24
Gasly under investigation! (Lap 13//78)
14:22Gasly is under investigation for the collision with Tsunoda!
Back to green flag conditions.
Top-10: Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Verstappen, Hadjar, Alonso, Hamilton, Ocon, Lawson, Albon
Tsunoda-Gasly incident:
14:19 , Kieran JacksonTsunoda: “Is he an idiot? What is he doing?”
Pit-lane is closed, given Gasly’s car is in a random spot in the pit-lane!
Still just a yellow flag around sector two...
Pierre Gasly has collided with Yuki Tsunoda!
14:18 , Kieran JacksonGasly’s front-left wheel is off!
He’s managed to get his Alpine back to the pits! But he has no brakes!
Gasly’s car has been stopped by some mechanics outside the Williams garage!
Will we get a safety car? There’s a lot of debris...
VSC ends! (Lap 5/78)
14:12 , Kieran JacksonNorris has a 1.5-second lead to Leclerc, who is already three seconds clear of Piastri as the VSC ends!
No change in the top-12 positions!
Top-10: Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Verstappen, Hadjar, Alonso, Hamilton, Ocon, Lawson, Albon
VSC!
14:07 , Kieran JacksonVirtual safety car!
Excellent for the likes of Tsunoda and Gasly, who have pitted straight away! An even cheaper pit-stop!
Bortoleto: “Kimi pushed me out!”
VSC, presumably, because of the debris on track...
Lando Norris keeps the lead at the start!
14:05 , Kieran JacksonNorris just keeps the lead - a big lock-up at turn 1 but he just stays ahead of Leclerc!
Unlike last year, they’re all through away cleanly!
Until just before the tunnel, with Gabriel Bortoleto in the wall after Kimi Antonelli goes for a move down the inside!
But Bortoleto reverses out!
Tsunoda, Gasly and Bearman in the pits!
Formation lap!
14:02 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris leads the pack around the circuit then for the formation lap!
Top-3 are on mediums, with Verstappen on hards.
Lawson and Tsunoda are the only drivers on softs.
Here we go then - strap yourselves in!
F1 Monaco Grand Prix!
14:00 , Kieran JacksonIt’s time for round 8 of the 2025 season in Monaco!
An unprecedented grand prix too, with two mandatory pit-stops shaking things up... we hope!
A reminder of the starting grid in Monaco:
13:56 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris
2. Charles Leclerc
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Max Verstappen
5. Isack Hadjar
6. Fernando Alonso
7. Lewis Hamilton*
8. Esteban Ocon
9. Liam Lawson
10. Alex Albon
11. Carlos Sainz
12. Yuki Tsunoda
13. Nico Hulkenberg
14. George Russell
15. Kimi Antonelli
16. Gabriel Bortoleto
17. Pierre Gasly
18. Franco Colapinto
19. Lance Stroll**
20. Ollie Bearman***
*Lewis Hamilton receives a three-place grid drop for impeding Max Verstappen in qualifying
**Lance Stroll has a one-place grid penalty due to impeding Charles Leclerc in FP1; Stroll was hit with a further three-place grid penalty for impeding Pierre Gasly in qualifying
***Ollie Bearman has a 10-place grid penalty due to overtaking a car under red flag conditions in FP2
Ollie Bearman, who starts dead-last in 20th:
13:54 , Kieran Jackson“I told my engineer I’m a bit less depressed starting last than I would have been last year, there’ll be some opportunities - I look forward to a good result.”
Isack Hadjar, starting P5:
13:52 , Kieran Jackson“Starting fifth around here... fifth is the target!”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner, speaking on the grid:
13:50 , Kieran Jackson“A lottery... could be a curveball result.
“The Racing Bulls are running their own race, we’re focused on our race, Yuki is a big far out of touch - it’s more down to safety cars.”
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur:
13:48 , Kieran Jackson“So far so good. Always a bit of tension on the grid, the start will be crucial. Same for everyone!”
Time for the Monaco national anthem!
13:46 , Kieran JacksonPrince Albert of Monaco among the throng of VIPs standing for the national anthem on the grid!
Ex-Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine:
13:42 , Kieran Jackson“I’m in Europe now for the summer, back to Miami in 2-3 weeks - still building there.
“I like watching F1 more than driving it!”
NFL star Odell Beckham Jr, speaking on the grid:
13:40 , Kieran Jackson“It’s always a good race, this might be one of my yearly trips!”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner:
13:36 , Kieran JacksonOn constructors’ title: “To take on McLaren in the constructors will be immensely difficult, our priority is the drivers. We’re still in striking difference, it was a timely win last week.
“You’ve got to stay in touch in the summer, when the pressure really comes in the last quarter of the championship, he strikes!”
PREVIEW: F1 rolls the dice with new Monaco Grand Prix rule – can it save the famous race?
09:01 , Kieran JacksonLast year’s procession around the principality – where the order of the top-10 did not alter once – was the final straw. In an era where the show is king for F1’s owners Liberty Media, something had to change at the sport’s most famous race.
Where better to roll the dice than Monaco? Ahead of the 2025 season, the team bosses met and concocted a plan to revitalise a grand prix where overtaking is nigh-on impossible, given the immovable parameters of the famous twisty street circuit. All drivers will have to run three sets of tyres in the 78-lap race on Sunday, making two pit-stops effectively mandatory – unless there is a red flag, like last year.
F1 rolls the dice with new Monaco GP rule – can it save the famous race?
Adrian Newey on his first trackside weekend with Aston Martin:
13:15 , Kieran Jackson"Really enjoying the challenge" 💪
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 24, 2025
Adrian Newey reflects on his first few months at Aston Martin as he helps the team gear up for the new 2026 F1 Regulations.
Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel 📺👇#F1
F1 driver standings heading into Monaco
13:09 , Kieran Jackson3. Max Verstappen – 124 points
4. George Russell – 99 points
5. Charles Leclerc – 61 points
7. Kimi Antonelli – 48 points
8. Alex Albon – 40 points
9. Esteban Ocon – 14 points
10. Lance Stroll – 14 points
11. Carlos Sainz – 11 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 10 points
13. Isack Hadjar – 7 points
14. Pierre Gasly – 7 points
15. Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points
17. Liam Lawson – 0 points
18. Fernando Alonso – 0 points
19. Jack Doohan – 0 points
20. Gabriel Bortoleto – 0 points
Lewis Hamilton after qualifying P4:
13:02 , Kieran Jackson“Not the greatest day, but the weekend has generally been going quite well - car has felt really good.
“P3 to have that shunt was not helpful. Team did an amazing job to recover the car, worked so hard to fix it.
On Max incident: “Qualifying is so much fun around here, very difficult to keep out the way of everybody. I was doing a good job but then the team said Max was on a fast lap, then they said he wasn’t, I was about to get back on power, accelerated for 10m, I was off the line but did have an impact on him.”
On the race: “I don’t know about tomorrow’s strategy. It’s great we have the two stops, for a few people the medium grained massively - I’ve got two hards, Charles chose two mediums. I’m really hoping that can make some kind of difference.”
Big pile-up in F2 race earlier!
12:54 , Kieran JacksonAn early red flag was called in the Formula 2 feature race, where a huge 11-car pile-up eliminated championship leader Alex Dunne. pic.twitter.com/AacXzqfH6X
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 25, 2025
Lando Norris after qualifying on pole:
12:50 , Kieran Jackson“It’s been a long time coming, I feel good. I didn’t realise how good this feels, after some struggles. This is the hardest track to do it, I’m very proud of the whole team. Very pleased.
“No risk from our side, we did what we thought was best. We stuck to what we believed in. These days don’t come easy.”
On race: “I have no idea and for now, I don’t care. I’m going to enjoy today.”
A lap record for Norris too - the first lap under 70 seconds in Monaco ever!
FULL STARTING GRID
12:45 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris
2. Charles Leclerc
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Max Verstappen
5. Isack Hadjar
6. Fernando Alonso
7. Lewis Hamilton*
8. Esteban Ocon
9. Liam Lawson
10. Alex Albon
11. Carlos Sainz
12. Yuki Tsunoda
13. Nico Hulkenberg
14. George Russell
15. Kimi Antonelli
16. Gabriel Bortoleto
17. Pierre Gasly
18. Franco Colapinto
19. Lance Stroll**
20. Ollie Bearman***
*Lewis Hamilton receives a three-place grid drop for impeding Max Verstappen in qualifying
**Lance Stroll has a one-place grid penalty due to impeding Charles Leclerc in FP1; Stroll was hit with a further three-place grid penalty for impeding Pierre Gasly in qualifying
***Ollie Bearman has a 10-place grid penalty due to overtaking a car under red flag conditions in FP2
Charles Leclerc, after qualifying P2:
12:38 , Kieran Jackson“There’s always something more to be done, this was the best we could do - the lap was really good. Very frustrated, we know we don’t quite have the car to go for wins - starting second, is going to be tricky to take first.
“I like city tracks in general, I like to go all in and take maximum risk. Most of the time this pays off! I’m proud. It’s not that bad.”
EXCLUSIVE - George Russell: ‘F1 is riding a wave – but it won’t take much for it to come crashing down’
12:28 , Kieran JacksonI spoke to George Russell in Imola about his 2025 season so far and his hopes for his future in F1, and that of the future of the sport itself:
Russell: ‘F1 is riding a wave – but it won’t take much for it to come crashing down’
Martin Brundle on two-stop rule:
12:19 , Kieran Jackson“I like the idea, let’s give it a chance. It depends on safety cars or red flags, if they happen. I’m surprised they haven’t said one pit-stop must be in the second half of the race.
“Will the frontrunners hang on to pit on the penultimate lap?
It does mean that you can’t get out in front, go at F2 race, and keep position.”
QUALIFYING REPORT: Lando Norris banishes qualifying blues to claim superb Monaco GP pole
12:10 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris banished his qualifying blues to claim pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix.
The British driver set a new record around the streets of Monte Carlo to beat local hero Charles Leclerc to pole by 0.109 seconds.
Norris, who has bemoaned his qualifying slip-ups throughout the season, put it together at the death to clinch his first pole since the season-opener in Melbourne.
Full report:
Lando Norris banishes qualifying blues to claim superb Monaco GP pole
Monaco GP start time:
12:00 , Kieran JacksonTime BST
Sunday 25 May
- Race: 2pm
F1 constructor standings heading into Monaco
11:45 , Kieran Jackson1. McLaren - 279 points
2. Mercedes - 147 points
3. Red Bull - 131 points
4. Ferrari - 114 points
5. Williams - 51 points
6. Haas - 20 points
7. Aston Martin - 14 points
8. Racing Bulls - 10 points
9. Alpine - 7 points
10. Sauber - 6 points
Oscar Piastri, after qualifying P3:
11:30"It was intense, quite reminiscent of last year. Made a mistake in the chicane, to beat Lando today was going to be tough - well done to him. Pretty happy with it, it's been a messy weekend so far.
“I think I’ve hit more walls this weekend than I have in my whole career!”
FULL STORY: Lewis Hamilton hit with penalty after Max Verstappen clash in Monaco GP qualifying
11:00 , Kieran JacksonLewis Hamilton has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday.
The seven-time F1 world champion recorded his best grand prix qualifying result for Ferrari and was set to start fourth on the grid on Sunday.
Yet in Q1, Hamilton was involved in an impeding incident with Max Verstappen.
Full story below:
Lewis Hamilton hit with penalty after Max Verstappen clash in Monaco GP qualifying
FULL STARTING GRID
10:00 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris
2. Charles Leclerc
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Max Verstappen
5. Isack Hadjar
6. Fernando Alonso
7. Lewis Hamilton*
8. Esteban Ocon
9. Liam Lawson
10. Alex Albon
11. Carlos Sainz
12. Yuki Tsunoda
13. Nico Hulkenberg
14. George Russell
15. Kimi Antonelli
16. Gabriel Bortoleto
17. Pierre Gasly
18. Franco Colapinto
19. Lance Stroll**
20. Ollie Bearman***
*Lewis Hamilton receives a three-place grid drop for impeding Max Verstappen in qualifying
**Lance Stroll has a one-place grid penalty due to impeding Charles Leclerc in FP1; Stroll was hit with a further three-place grid penalty for impeding Pierre Gasly in qualifying
***Ollie Bearman has a 10-place grid penalty due to overtaking a car under red flag conditions in FP2
Ollie Bearman - 10-place grid penalty!
07:00 , Kieran JacksonA reminder that Ollie Bearman has a 10-place grid penalty for tomorrow’s race!
The 19-year-old Brit overtook Carlos Sainz under red flag conditions in second practice, with the stewards dishing out a brutal penalty!
It means that, unless Bearman finishes in the top-9 in qualifying later, he will start last tomorrow!
A look at why Ollie Bearman was handed a 10-place grid drop ⬇️
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 23, 2025
Here's the story 👉 https://t.co/P8em9Bqrp9#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/sfx3htk8pB
Jacques Villeneuve blasts ‘weak’ McLaren for ‘really odd’ F1 strategy
05:00 , Kieran JacksonVilleneuve, on punditry duties for Sky Sports F1, was critical of McLaren’s “really odd” approach to the finale in Imola.
"They [McLaren] show weakness, they don't show the strength that Red Bull are always showing year after year,” said 1997 F1 world champion Villeneuve.
"It's as if they're afraid to be aggressive in trying to win the Drivers' Championship, and they're afraid to go against Piastri. It's really, really odd.”
VIDEO: Hamilton crash!
04:00 , Kieran JacksonHamilton hit the barriers at Massenet 💥#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/BVPeEmsjrn
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 24, 2025
Mercedes team representative Bradley Lord, speaking to Sky F1:
03:00 , Kieran JacksonOn Russell: “He’s definitely stepped up into that leader role - he’s like the big brother, Kimi is the little brother. He’s maximised what we’ve got, scoring podiums when available.
On Russell’s contract: “In no rush, we manage George’s career as well as being the team he drives for! There’s no pressure. At the right time, him and Toto will sit down, it won’t take them long to thrash it out.”
Martin Brundle on Ferrari in Monaco:
02:00 , Kieran Jackson“Charles has the historical experience with Ferrari, this year he has a car good in high speed, not low speed.
“The driver can make the difference here. Lewis is gun-ho, he’s mighty around this racetrack.”
Lewis Hamilton nervous about reaction to new F1 film but planning more projects
01:00 , Kieran JacksonThe grid’s stars were given an exclusive screening of the action movie, titled F1, on Wednesday at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco ahead of this weekend’s grand prix.
“All of a sudden, I’ve got all the drivers there, I was sat in the middle and I was nervous,” Hamilton said.
“I was like, ‘oh God everyone’s seeing it for the first time’. And it was great to look around and see some of the reactions. I really care what the drivers think and I wanted them to think highly of it.
“I think the great thing is the sound is great, the image is incredible. It’s something that’s never been done in Formula One before. So it’s something I’m really proud of.”
Max Verstappen did not attend Monaco screening of F1 movie
Saturday 24 May 2025 23:59 , Kieran JacksonVerstappen did not attend the screening, opting to spend “private time” with his family including newborn daughter Lily.
"I wanted to spend more private time," he said. "There was the opportunity to watch it but if we watch it now or in three or four weeks its fine as well."
Charles Leclerc insists Ferrari won't 'give up' on 2025 season
Saturday 24 May 2025 23:00 , Kieran Jackson“No, we definitely don’t want to give up now” the Monegasque said ahead of his home race.
“I mean, we’re getting to mid-season soon, but we cannot afford to give up now. We’ve seen last year the situation changed a lot since when McLaren brought those upgrades.
“I believe that in Barcelona will be another very important point of the season with this new regulation on the front wings, and then we’ll see whether it benefits us or not.”
Leclerc's reaction to not getting pole!
Saturday 24 May 2025 20:28 , Kieran Jackson“Noooo! F***! This first lap was with this s*** traffic!”
Angry response from Leclerc!
F1 driver standings heading into Monaco:
Saturday 24 May 2025 20:00 , Kieran Jackson3. Max Verstappen – 124 points
4. George Russell – 99 points
5. Charles Leclerc – 61 points
7. Kimi Antonelli – 48 points
8. Alex Albon – 40 points
9. Esteban Ocon – 14 points
10. Lance Stroll – 14 points
11. Carlos Sainz – 11 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda – 10 points
13. Isack Hadjar – 7 points
14. Pierre Gasly – 7 points
15. Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points
17. Liam Lawson – 0 points
18. Fernando Alonso – 0 points
19. Jack Doohan – 0 points
20. Gabriel Bortoleto – 0 points
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff:
Saturday 24 May 2025 19:00 , Kieran Jackson“Dismal. These mistakes happen to every driver. When it comes to George, we need to find out what happened on the engine and chassis, no current anymore.
“We are hoping to have a revers grid or something like that...”
FULL STARTING GRID
Saturday 24 May 2025 18:45 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris
2. Charles Leclerc
3. Oscar Piastri
4. Max Verstappen
5. Isack Hadjar
6. Fernando Alonso
7. Lewis Hamilton*
8. Esteban Ocon
9. Liam Lawson
10. Alex Albon
11. Carlos Sainz
12. Yuki Tsunoda
13. Nico Hulkenberg
14. George Russell
15. Kimi Antonelli
16. Gabriel Bortoleto
17. Pierre Gasly
18. Franco Colapinto
19. Lance Stroll**
20. Ollie Bearman***
*Lewis Hamilton receives a three-place grid drop for impeding Max Verstappen in qualifying
**Lance Stroll has a one-place grid penalty due to impeding Charles Leclerc in FP1; Stroll was hit with a further three-place grid penalty for impeding Pierre Gasly in qualifying
***Ollie Bearman has a 10-place grid penalty due to overtaking a car under red flag conditions in FP2
FULL STORY: Lewis Hamilton hit with penalty after Max Verstappen clash in Monaco GP qualifying
Saturday 24 May 2025 18:20 , Kieran JacksonLewis Hamilton has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday.
The seven-time F1 world champion recorded his best grand prix qualifying result for Ferrari and was set to start fourth on the grid on Sunday.
Yet in Q1, Hamilton was involved in an impeding incident with Max Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton hit with penalty after Max Verstappen clash in Monaco GP qualifying
NEW: Hamilton receives three-place grid drop
Saturday 24 May 2025 18:14 , Kieran JacksonHamilton has been punished for that impeding incident with Max Verstappen with a THREE-PLACE grid drop.
That means the Ferrari driver will start Sunday’s race in seventh, instead of fourth.
Max Verstappen after qualifying P5:
Saturday 24 May 2025 17:59 , Kieran JacksonWhere did you lose time? “Mainly, the middle sector. I couldn’t find more lap time compared to practice, every time I had to drop a kerb it didn’t hit up. When I saw the lap time progression, I knew we were not in that fight.
“I know our car isn’t very good in low-speed.”
On Lewis Hamilton impeding moment: “It’s not nice, the team told him I was driving slow when I was clearly driving fast. It wasn’t Lewis’ fault.
“If you look at the history of things, yes. Normally in qualifying, they’re quite strict on these things.”
Isack Hadjar, after qualifying P6:
Saturday 24 May 2025 17:45“Come on man, P6! Come on! Let’s go! Yes!”
McLaren boss Zak Brown:
Saturday 24 May 2025 17:20 , Kieran Jackson“It was a pretty awesome qualifying!
“He nailed it, that was exciting. With two stops, maybe we’ll have to see if something is different.”
What time is the race on Sunday?
Saturday 24 May 2025 17:09 , Kieran JacksonThe Monaco Grand Prix starts at 2pm (BST)!
