Hamilton Penalized for Block in Monaco Qualifying
Lewis Hamilton will start the Monaco Grand Prix from seventh position following a three-place grid penalty incurred during qualifying for impeding Max Verstappen. The incident occurred during Q1 as Verstappen was setting up for a flying lap near the Massenet corner, where Hamilton’s Ferrari was on a slow lap.
Hamilton was notified that Verstappen was approaching but received conflicting information from his team, incorrectly advised that Verstappen was slowing down. This led Hamilton to accelerate into the racing line, forcing Verstappen to abandon his push lap. The FIA stewards ruled that Hamilton’s actions resulted directly in Verstappen’s impediment.
The stewards’ report detailed: “Car 44 [Hamilton] was on a slow lap and off the racing line… The team first informed the driver that Car 1 [Verstappen] was on a fast lap. Then they sent another message saying that Car 1 was ‘slowing down,’ when in fact Car 1 was always on a push lap,” clarifying that Hamilton’s speed increase placed him on the racing line just before Verstappen’s approach.
Hamilton expressed disappointment over the team’s communication, while Verstappen acknowledged the mix-up, stating, “It’s not Lewis’ fault… it’s the team’s mistake.”
Verstappen capitalizes on Hamilton’s penalty, moving up to fourth on the grid, while rookie Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso also gain positions.
In a separate incident, Lance Stroll received a three-place grid drop for impeding Pierre Gasly, although Stroll’s penalty does not alter his final grid spot due to an earlier one-place penalty from a crash during practice.
The Monaco Grand Prix comprises 78 laps, where overtaking opportunities are limited, making qualifying positions particularly crucial.
