Lando Norris Leads Monaco Grand Prix Grid After Penalty Drama Shakes Up Order
The 2025 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix will see Lando Norris of McLaren start from pole position after a dramatic qualifying session followed by a series of penalties that significantly altered the final grid. Norris narrowly clinched the top spot ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in an intense session, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri securing third.
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, lines up fourth, a position improved by penalties applied to other drivers. Isack Hadjar delivered a career-best performance to start fifth for the Racing Bulls team, while Fernando Alonso slots into sixth in his Aston Martin.
The biggest shake-up involves seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Originally qualifying fourth, Hamilton was handed a three-place grid penalty after stewards determined he impeded Verstappen during qualifying. This demotes him to seventh, just ahead of his teammate Carlos Sainz, who now races for Williams and starts eighth. Yuki Tsunoda, promoted to the main Red Bull team for 2025, will start ninth, with Alex Albon rounding out the top ten in the second Williams.
Further back, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly starts 11th ahead of Kick Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg. Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson qualified further down but moved up to 13th due to others’ penalties. Both Mercedes drivers had a disappointing qualifying session: George Russell starts 14th, and rookie Kimi Antonelli, in his first F1 season, starts 15th.
Franco Colapinto of Alpine takes 16th, with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll in 17th. Stroll also received a grid penalty, further affecting his weekend. Gabriel Bortoleto of Kick Sauber starts 18th.
Two rookies fill the final grid spots: Oliver Bearman of Haas will start 19th after receiving a 10-place grid drop for a red flag infringement during practice. Esteban Ocon, now also with Haas, starts 20th.
The penalties have reshuffled what was already expected to be a strategic race, especially given the implementation of a new rule for this weekend. Drivers must use three different tire compounds during the race — a first for Formula 1 — adding a new layer of complexity to team strategies around pit stops and tire management. The FIA introduced this regulation specifically for Monaco, hoping to encourage more varied strategies and potential overtaking opportunities on a track notoriously difficult for on-track passing.
As the streets of Monte Carlo get ready to host one of the most prestigious and unpredictable races of the year, the shuffled starting grid sets the stage for a highly tactical battle. Local hero Leclerc will be desperate to finally win on home soil, while Norris has his eyes set on converting pole into victory. With Hamilton, Verstappen, and others out of place on the grid, fans can expect plenty of tension and strategy from lights out at 3:00 PM local time on Sunday, May 25.
