BREAKING NEWS: Lewis Hamilton CRASHES into the wall in final practice in Monaco to leave Mercedes with a race against time to get seven-time world champion’s car repaired in time for qualifying
- It was a final practice session to forget for Lewis Hamilton as he caused a red flag
- The Mercedes star plundered into the front of the wall and had his car lifted away
- Hamilton now faces a race against time to get his car ready in time for qualifying
Lewis Hamilton is a doubt for qualifying after crashing his Mercedes in the final five minutes of practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.
The world champion lost control through the Mirabeau corner, bringing out a red flag that ended the session prematurely.
The seven-time world champion was unhurt but his car suffered front suspension damage.
His team face a race against time to complete the repairs ahead of qualifying at 3pm BST. They were set two-and-a-half hours to carry out the task.
‘Sorry about that, mate,’ said Hamilton on the radio before plodding back to the pits, shaking his head.
Lewis Hamilton plundered into the wall to cause a red flag during final practice in Monaco
The seven-time world champion got out and leapt over the barrier to return to the paddock
Race engineer Peter Bonnington told him: ‘No worries, we’ll sort it.’
PRACTICE TOP 10
1) Max Verstappen
2) Sergio Perez
3) Lance Stroll
4) Carlos Sainz
5) Lando Norris
6) Pierre Gasly
7) Charles Leclerc
8) Lewis Hamilton
9) Esteban Ocon
10) Valtteri Bottas
Hamilton finished the session a lowly eighth and seven-tenths off pacesetter Max Verstappen, despite a massive upgrade package including a new floor, front suspension, cooling system and sidepod. His team-mate George Russell was 11th.
The car was hoisted away by a long-range crane, and dramatically blew about in the wind before being returned to the garage and the care of the mechanics.
After giving up on this season’s car on the eve of the opening race in Bahrain, Mercedes have spent the ensuing dozen weeks working on a new design philosophy.
The Silver Arrows have abandoned their controversial zero-sidepod concept and introduced a new front suspension, new floor and cooling system in a drastic change of development on a car which has contributed to the longest losing streak of Hamilton’s career.
However, Hamilton was seven tenths behind Max Verstappen in the final running before qualifying, with the world champion heading a Red Bull one-two from team-mate Sergio Perez.
Lance Stroll finished third for Aston Martin, two tenths behind Verstappen with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz fourth and Lando Norris fifth for McLaren.
Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle believes Hamilton’s crash sets up an intriguing qualifying session given final practice was cut short.
‘That adds to the intrigue because I’m expecting an immense qualifying session today especially now that some of them haven’t had a decent run,’ Brundle said.
Mercedes face a race against time to repair his car ready for qualifying session this afternoon
‘It looked like a conscious decision from Lewis to put the front into the wall and not the back because that would do a driveshaft and a gearbox.’
There was to be more bad news for Hamilton once he returned to the paddock after he was hit with a €600 (£520) fine from stewards after speeding in the pit lane.
The Brit was clocked at 40.7mph in the pit lane with the limit for this weekend in Monaco set at 37.2mph.
That fine follows team-mate George Russell – who spoke exclusively to Mail Sport ahead of this weekend – getting a €100 fine (£87) on Friday for going over the limit.
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