Lewis Hamilton’s Three-Place Grid Drop for Monaco Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has been penalized with a three-place grid drop for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix. This penalty comes as a result of impeding Max Verstappen during qualifying.

Incident Between Hamilton and Verstappen in Qualifying

In Q1, Verstappen was obstructed by Hamilton’s slow-moving Ferrari while ascending the hill towards Massenet. Verstappen had to abort his lap through one of the circuit’s many blind corners due to Hamilton’s presence.

Despite being informed about Verstappen approaching, Hamilton was mistakenly told that the Red Bull driver was slowing down, which prompted him to accelerate again. Both drivers and their team representatives were summoned by the FIA race stewards post-qualifying.

The FIA stewards handed Hamilton a costly three-place grid drop for Sunday’s 78-lap grand prix, stating that Hamilton entered Verstappen’s racing line, impeding him. They also highlighted that the team’s incorrect message led to the incident.

Impact of Penalty on Grid Positions

As a result, Hamilton will start seventh in the race, with Verstappen moving up from fifth to fourth. Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar and Aston Martin veteran Fernando Alonso also gain a spot on the grid. This could be crucial in a race where overtaking is almost impossible.

Lance Stroll also received an impeding penalty for blocking Pierre Gasly’s Alpine, but his three-place grid drop doesn’t affect his final grid spot. Stroll had already taken a one-place penalty into qualifying for a practice crash with Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen and Hamilton’s Reaction

After the incident, Verstappen understood the situation Hamilton was in. “You see the car blocking you and at high speed it’s… not nice, let’s say. But then I saw immediately that the team told him that I was driving slowly while I was clearly driving fast, so it’s not Lewis’ fault,” said Verstappen.

Hamilton expressed his displeasure at the incorrect message from his team immediately after the incident. During the hearing, both drivers and their team representatives accepted the team’s mistake.