During the final practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton experienced an unexpected crash that has drawn attention from analysts and fans alike. The seven-time World Champion collided with the barriers at Massenet, damaging his Ferrari after attempting to improve his time, following his teammate Charles Leclerc, who had just set the fastest lap.
The incident occurred as Hamilton navigated through traffic, notably past the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and the Haas of Esteban Ocon. Race Control investigated the crash, identified as involving cars 12 (Antonelli), 31 (Ocon), and 44 (Hamilton), but determined no further action was necessary against the drivers. Jenson Button described Hamilton’s misstep as unusual, suggesting that dirty air from the preceding cars may have disrupted his car’s downforce.
Button elaborated that while Hamilton appeared in control, the combination of traffic and a potential loss of downforce likely contributed to the incident. Fellow pundit Karun Chandhok noted that Hamilton’s wider entry into Massenet, coupled with the conditions of the tires after prior laps, may have played a role in his losing control.
Hamilton acknowledged the error, stating, “Guys, I hit the wall. Damn… Sorry guys.” As Ferrari works against the clock to repair the damage and potentially change the gearbox ahead of the qualifying session, there is optimism that Hamilton will be able to participate.
This crash, while unfortunate, underscores the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 racing, especially in the challenging streets of Monaco. Fans are hopeful that Hamilton can quickly recover from this setback and perform well in the upcoming qualifying round.