Lando Norris won the Monaco Grand Prix on May 26, 2025, marking his first victory on the famous streets of Monte Carlo. Driving for McLaren, Norris led the race from pole position to the finish line. He finished ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and his teammate Oscar Piastri. Max Verstappen came fourth for Red Bull, while Lewis Hamilton finished fifth. With this win, Norris closed the gap to championship leader Piastri to just three points. Verstappen now trails the leader by 25 points, making the Formula 1 title race more competitive.
Formula 1 introduced a new rule this year that required drivers to make two mandatory pit stops at Monaco. This change aimed to increase excitement in a race often seen as processional. While the rule added some strategic elements, it did not improve the challenge of overtaking on Monaco’s narrow circuit. There was only one on-track pass during the race, which was an illegal move by George Russell. He attempted a pass through the Nouvelle Chicane but was penalized with a drive-through penalty.
The top five drivers managed their pit stops smoothly, which kept their positions stable. Verstappen tried to stretch his second stint, hoping for a late safety car to help him gain places. However, he had to pit two laps before the end and remained in fourth position. Leclerc pushed hard to catch Norris but was unable to pass, as Norris controlled the race with confidence.
This victory was significant for Norris. It was his first win since the season opener and McLaren’s first Monaco victory since 2008. The win gives Norris important momentum in the championship race. Behind the leaders, Isack Hadjar and Lawson finished sixth and eighth for Racing Bulls. Esteban Ocon took seventh place for Haas. Albon and Sainz completed the top 10 for Williams.
While Monaco remains one of the most beautiful and prestigious venues on the Formula 1 calendar, the race action on track continues to disappoint. The two-stop rule brought some tactical variation but did not fix the fundamental problem. The cars are too large, and the circuit is too tight for real overtaking and racing. The race once again highlighted Monaco’s unique charm but also its limitations as a racing venue.
