In a dramatic conclusion to the final practice session (FP3) at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton suffered a significant crash, bringing out a red flag and ending the session prematurely. The incident occurred near Casino Square, where Hamilton’s Ferrari made contact with the barriers, causing substantial damage to the right-hand side of the car. Despite the severity of the crash, Hamilton emerged unscathed. The team now faces a race against time to repair the car ahead of the crucial qualifying session .
Prior to the crash, Hamilton had set the fifth-fastest time in the session, trailing his teammate Charles Leclerc, who dominated FP3 with a lap time of 1:10.953. Leclerc’s performance marked a clean sweep of all three practice sessions, showcasing Ferrari’s strong form on the streets of Monte Carlo. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured the second-fastest time, albeit 0.280 seconds behind Leclerc, while McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completed the top four .
Hamilton’s crash was not the only incident during the practice sessions. In FP1, he experienced a moment where his car went airborne after hitting a kerb at the “piscine” section, highlighting the challenges drivers face on the tight and unforgiving Monaco circuit .
The final practice session also saw impressive performances from other teams. Williams’ Alex Albon secured the sixth-fastest time, while Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Williams’ Carlos Sainz followed closely. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top ten, indicating a competitive field heading into qualifying .
The Monaco Grand Prix has introduced a new regulation for the 2025 season, mandating the use of three different tyre compounds and at least two pit stops during the race. This change aims to add strategic complexity and reduce the processional nature of the race, which has been a point of criticism in recent years .
As the teams prepare for the qualifying session, Ferrari’s strong performance in practice positions them as favorites. However, the narrow streets of Monaco leave little room for error, and the outcome of qualifying will be crucial in determining race strategies.
Hamilton’s crash serves as a reminder of the fine margins in Formula 1, especially on a circuit as challenging as Monaco. The team’s ability to repair his car in time for qualifying will be pivotal in maintaining their competitive edge.
With the stage set for an exciting qualifying session, fans can anticipate a thrilling battle for pole position, where every millisecond counts on the iconic streets of Monte Carlo.