Norris Clinches Victory in Monaco After Strategy Showdown and Late-Race Drama
Lando Norris emerged victorious at the Formula 1 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, converting pole position into a stunning win in a race defined by tyre strategy, pit stop precision, and last-lap twists. The McLaren driver held off a late charge from Charles Leclerc and teammate Oscar Piastri, claiming his second win of the season and cutting Piastri’s championship lead to just three points.
The race, featuring a new mandatory two-stop rule, kept teams and fans on edge as strategies evolved lap by lap on the narrow, unforgiving streets of Monte Carlo.
Race Start: Norris Leads but Faces Early Pressure
From pole, Norris held position despite a massive lock-up into Sainte Devote, fending off Leclerc and Piastri as the front-runners maintained their starting order. The first Virtual Safety Car came just minutes into the race after Gabriel Bortoleto hit the wall at Portier, triggering the start of early pit stops for several drivers.
As the race settled, Norris built a small buffer over Leclerc, while Piastri defended hard from a charging Max Verstappen, who attempted an early move after a minor incident between Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda resulted in Gasly’s retirement.
Mid-Race Chaos: New Rules Shake Up the Strategy
With each driver required to run three different tyre compounds, pit lane activity was frantic throughout the race. Early stoppers included Isack Hadjar and Carlos Sainz, with several opting for off-sequence tyre choices to meet the regulation.
Fernando Alonso’s retirement on Lap 38 due to a power unit issue added to the drama, while Russell and Alex Albon were embroiled in a controversial scrap—Russell skipping the chicane and picking up a drive-through penalty for failing to return the position.
By Lap 49, Piastri, Leclerc, and eventually Norris made their second stops, while Verstappen stayed out, temporarily taking the lead before being forced to pit with just a couple of laps remaining.
Closing Laps: Norris Withstands the Pressure
As Verstappen backed up the field, Leclerc and Piastri closed in on Norris, resulting in a tense multi-lap showdown. Despite immense pressure and Leclerc hovering within DRS range, Norris held firm and clocked the fastest lap of the race in the closing stages, sealing a statement win in Monte Carlo.
“Monaco, baby!” exclaimed Norris over team radio as he crossed the finish line, celebrating his first win since the season opener in Australia.
Formula 1 2025 Monaco GP Race Results:
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:40:33.843
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) : +3.131s
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) : +3.658s
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) : +20.572s
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) : +51.387s
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) : +1 lap
- Esteban Ocon (Haas) : +1 lap
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) : +1 lap
- Alexander Albon (Williams) : +2 laps
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) : +2 laps
- George Russell (Mercedes) : +2 laps
- Oliver Bearman (Haas) : +2 laps
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine) : +2 laps
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) : +2 laps
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) : +2 laps
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) : +2 laps
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) : +2 laps
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) : +3 laps
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – DNF
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – DNF
What’s Next: Barcelona Awaits
F1 now heads straight to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix (May 30 – June 1), the final leg of a triple-header. With Norris on the rise, Piastri still leading the championship, and Leclerc desperate for his first home win, the title battle is tighter than ever heading into Europe’s summer stretch.
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