Lando 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.
Oscar Piastri, who leads McLaren team-mate Norris by 13 points at the top of the championship standings, will start Sunday’s race from third. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton qualified in fourth but was hit with a post-session three-place grid drop for impeding Max Verstappen.
As a result, Verstappen, who clinched his second win of the season at Imola last weekend to close to within 22 points of Piastri, will start in fourth despite qualifying in fifth.
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F1 MONACO GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- The Monaco Grand Prix starts at 2pm (BST)
- Lando Norris starts on pole position; Leclerc 2nd; Piastri 3rd
- Lewis Hamilton hit with grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen
- PREVIEW: F1 rolls the dice with new Monaco GP rule - can it save the race?
- EXCLUSIVE - George Russell: ‘F1 is riding a wave – but it won’t take much for it to come crashing down’
What time is the race on Sunday?
Saturday 24 May 2025 17:09
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Kieran Jackson
The Monaco Grand Prix starts at 2pm (BST)!
Lewis Hamilton after qualifying P4:
13:02
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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
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Kieran Jackson
An 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
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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
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Kieran Jackson
1. 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
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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
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Kieran Jackson
I 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:
Martin Brundle on two-stop rule:
12:19
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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
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Kieran Jackson
Lando 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:
Monaco GP start time:
12:00
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Kieran Jackson
Time BST
Sunday 25 May
- Race: 2pm
F1 constructor standings heading into Monaco
11:45
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Kieran Jackson
1. 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
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Kieran Jackson
Lewis 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:
FULL STARTING GRID
10:00
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Kieran Jackson
1. 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
PREVIEW: F1 rolls the dice with new Monaco Grand Prix rule – can it save the famous race?
09:01
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Kieran Jackson
Last 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.
Ollie Bearman - 10-place grid penalty!
07:00
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Kieran Jackson
A 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
Red Bull boss Christian Horner:
06:00
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Kieran Jackson
On 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!
On Newey being present for Aston Martin: “I haven’t seen him in green yet! Looks like a giant bogey!”
Jacques Villeneuve blasts ‘weak’ McLaren for ‘really odd’ F1 strategy
05:00
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Kieran Jackson
Villeneuve, 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
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Kieran Jackson
Hamilton 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
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Kieran Jackson
On 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
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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
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Kieran Jackson
The 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
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Kieran Jackson
Verstappen 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
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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
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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
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Kieran Jackson
3. 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
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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
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Kieran Jackson
1. 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
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Kieran Jackson
Lewis 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.
NEW: Hamilton receives three-place grid drop
Saturday 24 May 2025 18:14
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Kieran Jackson
Hamilton 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
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Kieran Jackson
Where 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
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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.”