MONACO, 25 May 2025 – The Monaco 2025 Grand Prix, already full of tension for its legendary track, has turned into a real theater of emotions with the penalty inflicted on Lewis Hamilton.

The seven times world champion, now behind the wheel of Ferrari, has been relegated three positions on the grid, going from fourth to seventh place, after an episode of preventing against Max Verstappen during the qualifications.

The Fia’s decision triggered controversy, with the Ferrari team that defined the “unjust” sanction and the fans divided on the verdict.

The accident occurred in Q1, at curve 3 (Massenet), when Hamilton, in a slow tour, hindered Verstappen, engaged in a launched lap. According to the commissioners, English has not slowed down to leave room for the Red Bull driver, compromising his attempt. Telemetry and radio communications confirmed an error by the Muretto Ferrari, who had mistakenly informed Hamilton that Verstappen was not on a quick lap. “You had told me that Max was not on his fast lap …”, Hamilton blurted out via radio, visibly frustrated.

Despite the immediate excuses of Hamilton in Verstappen and the explanations of the Team Principal Frederic Vasseur, the FIA ​​has been adamant. According to the regulation, the communication error does not represent a mitigation, and the standard penalty of three positions has been applied. This allowed Verstappen, Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso to earn a position on the grid, while Hamilton finds himself starting from the seventh box on a track where the overtaking are almost impossible.

The decision rekindled the debate on the rigidity of the FIA ​​standards. Vasseur stressed that Hamilton himself was the victim of a similar episode, with the traffic caused by Antonelli and Ocon, without the latter being penalized. “If we apply the regulation so severely, then we must be consistent,” said Team Principal. However, the commissioners reiterated that each case is evaluated individually, and Hamilton’s preventing was considered evident.

Despite the penalty, Hamilton remains optimistic: “I feel more and more comfortable with Ferrari. With two mandatory pit stops, the race is not compromised”. His trust is supported by the good rhythm of the SF-25, which allowed Charles Leclerc to conquer the front row next to Lando Norris, Poleman with a record lap under 70 seconds.

The Monaco Grand Prix promises to be incandescent. With Leclerc in search of redemption after the nuanced pole and Hamilton forced to a difficult comeback, Ferrari is in the spotlight. The Monegasque track, with its walls and its insidious curves, will be the definitive test bench for the strategy and talent of the Maranello team. Will Hamilton manage to transform disappointment into a positive result?