Honestly, if you missed the Monaco Grand Prix 2025 results, you missed one of those rare Monte Carlo Sundays where the strategy actually mattered as much as the qualifying lap. Usually, this race is just a high-speed parade through a postcard. Not this time. We had a mandatory two-stop rule for the first time ever here, and it basically flipped the script on how teams had to think about the tightest street circuit in the world.
Lando Norris didn't just win; he survived.
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Starting from pole, the McLaren driver had to fend off a massive charge from Charles Leclerc right at the start. It was a heart-in-mouth moment at Sainte Devote. Norris had this huge double lock-up—smoke everywhere—but he somehow kept the nose of that McLaren ahead. From there, it was a game of cat and mouse that lasted 78 laps.
The final standings: Who actually stood on the podium?
The top of the charts looks familiar but the time gaps tell a wild story. Lando Norris took the win, but Leclerc was practically breathing down his neck by the end, finishing just over three seconds back.
Here is how the top ten shook out:
- 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
Oscar Piastri rounded out the podium in third, which was huge for McLaren’s championship hopes. Verstappen? He was playing a long game that almost worked, but he ended up fourth after a super late pit stop.
Why the two-stop rule changed everything
Usually, Monaco is a "one and done" affair with tires. You pit once, you pray for no punctures, and you defend like your life depends on it. In 2025, the FIA mandated two stops. This meant we actually saw overtakes—well, "overcuts" and "undercuts" mostly, but in Monaco, we take what we can get.
Max Verstappen tried to be the smartest guy in the room. He stayed out forever, leading the race until the penultimate lap. Red Bull was basically gambling on a late Safety Car or a Red Flag to give him a "free" stop. It never came. For the first time since 2021, the Safety Car stayed in the garage. Max had to box on Lap 77, dropping him from P1 to P4 in less than thirty seconds.
It was gut-wrenching if you're a Red Bull fan. Brilliant if you like seeing strategy gambles fail.
Hamilton’s "miserable" day in the Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton was not a happy camper. Despite moving up from 7th to 5th, he described his race as "miserable" and felt like he was in "no man's land." He got slapped with a three-place grid penalty on Saturday for impeding Verstappen in qualifying, which basically killed his podium chances before the lights even went out.
The gap between him and his teammate Leclerc was massive—over 48 seconds. Part of that was traffic, sure. He spent the first 16 laps stuck behind the Racing Bulls of Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin. But even in clear air, Lewis admitted he’s still struggling to find the "groove" with the Ferrari. He’s spent 12 years in a Mercedes; the transition isn't happening overnight.
The Rookie Watch: Hadjar and Bearman
You've gotta give it to the kids. Isack Hadjar snagged a P6 for Racing Bulls, which is a massive result for that team. He looked comfortable between the barriers all weekend.
Then there’s Ollie Bearman. He had a rough start with a 10-place grid penalty and a car that the team literally labeled "unsafe" on the grid. He fought his way to 12th, surviving a wheel-to-wheel scrap with Lance Stroll at Rascasse. No points, but he proved he belongs on the grid.
What happened to the DNFs?
We only had two retirements, which is low for Monaco.
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine): Knocked out after a clash with Yuki Tsunoda coming out of the tunnel.
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): Engine trouble ended his day early on Lap 37. He was pretty vocal on the radio about not being able to push on the hard tires, and eventually, the car just gave up.
Takeaways for the rest of the season
The Monaco Grand Prix 2025 results have tightened the screws on the championship. Piastri is still leading, but Norris is now just three points behind him. McLaren is looking like the team to beat, while Ferrari is showing flashes of brilliance mixed with some serious "new driver" growing pains for Hamilton.
If you're looking to follow the momentum, keep an eye on:
- The McLaren Intra-team Battle: Norris and Piastri are no longer just teammates; they are direct title rivals. Expect some spicy radio calls in the next few races.
- Ferrari's Development: They brought low-speed upgrades to Monaco that clearly worked for Leclerc. If they can translate that to the high-speed turns in Barcelona, Red Bull might be in trouble.
- The Rookie Points Race: Hadjar and Lawson are scoring consistently. This might be the year the "junior" teams actually start bothering the top four.
Next up is the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. It’s a completely different beast—wide, fast, and unforgiving in a totally different way.