Lando Norris delivered a clinical performance around the streets of Monte Carlo to win the 2025 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, leading from start to finish despite intense pressure from Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri.
The McLaren driver converted pole position into his second win of the season and his first around the Principality, cutting the gap to championship leader Piastri to just three points.
In a race defined by F1’s mandatory three-tyre rule, Norris remained unfazed. Despite a heavy lock-up at Turn 1 and Verstappen’s attempt to disrupt the leaders with an alternate strategy, the Brit held his nerve and reasserted McLaren’s growing dominance in the 2025 season.
“This is what we dream of,” Norris said. “It’s a long, gruelling race and I felt under control most of the time — but Max backing us up made it intense at the end.”
Tyre rules dominate race strategy as midfield drama unfolds
At the start, Norris led cleanly into Sainte Devote, while Leclerc and Piastri slotted in behind. Verstappen tried to challenge around the outside but settled into fourth.
Behind them, chaos struck early as Gabriel Bortoleto tangled with Andrea Kimi Antonelli exiting Portier, bringing out a Virtual Safety Car.
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Midfielders including Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly, and Oliver Bearman made early stops to shake up strategy, but Gasly’s attempt ended in disaster when he rear-ended Tsunoda at the Nouvelle Chicane. “No brakes,” he radioed as he retired with front-left suspension damage.
Further forward, Norris, Leclerc, and Piastri remained locked into a near-identical strategy—starting on mediums, followed by two stints on the hard compound. Norris pitted on lap 20, Piastri on 21 in an attempt to undercut Leclerc, who responded on lap 22 to stay ahead.
Red Bull placed Verstappen on an inverted strategy—starting on hards and moving to mediums—then staying out as long as possible while hoping for a red flag.
That gamble almost paid off, as he briefly inherited the race lead when the top three completed their second stops. But when no safety car or stoppage occurred, Verstappen had to pit on the penultimate lap, dropping to fourth.
“Max was backing it up and I had to manage it,” Norris admitted as he wins Monaco for the first time. “Back off Max and push when I needed to.”
Lewis Hamilton was largely isolated in fifth, but it was a strong recovery after his grid penalty for impeding Verstappen in qualifying. The seven-time world champion made up ground thanks to Ferrari’s clean double-stop strategy.
Hadjar stars in midfield as Mercedes misfire again
Isack Hadjar continued to impress in 2025, finishing sixth after teammate Liam Lawson backed up the pack early in the race to give the Frenchman a cheaper pit window. Hadjar stayed cool under pressure and delivered a mature two-stop performance, further boosting Racing Bulls in the constructors’ standings.
Esteban Ocon finished seventh for Haas, benefitting from precise pit strategy and clean air, while Lawson was rewarded with eighth. Williams scored a valuable double-points finish, with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz finishing ninth and tenth after holding off faster cars behind.
Mercedes had another race to forget. George Russell, frustrated at Albon’s defensive driving, cut the Nouvelle Chicane and attempted to incur only a time penalty—but stewards issued a drive-through, ruining his points chances. Antonelli also struggled, finishing 18th after a late, ineffective strategy.
Fernando Alonso retired mid-race with a suspected power unit issue, parking his Aston Martin neatly behind the Rascasse barriers. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto also failed to finish, rounding off a miserable weekend for Alpine.
As the chequered flag fell, Monaco had delivered drama, if not overtakes. McLaren leaves the Principality on top, and Norris wins the race and is now fully in the championship hunt.
Who won the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix?
Lando Norris won the 2025 Monaco GP for McLaren, leading from pole and withstanding late pressure to secure his second win of the season.
What was the new tyre rule at the Monaco GP 2025?
F1 introduced a rule requiring drivers to use three different tyre compounds, enforcing two pit stops to encourage strategic variety.
Why did Max Verstappen lose the lead in Monaco 2025?
Verstappen stayed out late hoping for a red flag. When none came, he had to make his final pit stop on the penultimate lap, dropping to fourth.
