Nightmare at Home: Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc Both Out in Q2

The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix weekend took a shocking turn as both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc found themselves eliminated in Q2 during Saturday’s qualifying session.

A stunning outcome that left fans across the world in disbelief, with the iconic drivers unable to make it into the final shootout for pole position.

Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion, had entered the weekend with high hopes of securing another strong result in one of Formula 1’s most prestigious races. Monaco, a track where he has enjoyed both triumphs and heartbreaks in the past, seemed to be the perfect stage for him to make a statement. However, despite his usual precision, the Mercedes driver struggled for pace throughout the session.

As the clock ticked down, Hamilton found himself unable to improve his time, and with the pressure mounting, he ended up in 13th place, just a hair’s breadth away from advancing to Q3. His frustrations were evident as he radioed his team, expressing his disbelief at the turn of events.

Leclerc, Monaco’s native son and Ferrari’s star driver, faced an even more crushing blow. Having been a favorite to perform well in front of his home crowd, Leclerc was expected to contend for a front-row start. Yet, his hopes quickly evaporated as he struggled with balance and grip throughout the session.

Leclerc, who had made a name for himself in Monaco with exceptional qualifying performances in previous years, found himself unable to extract the necessary pace from his Ferrari.

He ultimately finished in 12th place, missing out on Q3 and leaving the Monegasque fans in shock. The pressure of performing in his home Grand Prix, combined with the notoriously unforgiving nature of Monaco’s tight streets, appeared to take its toll.

The early exits of both Hamilton and Leclerc were a huge talking point in the paddock. Monaco, with its narrow streets and limited overtaking opportunities, is one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar. Starting outside the top ten dramatically reduces the chances of making progress through the race, making this result a major setback for both drivers.

With the race on Sunday looming, the outcome of qualifying has set the stage for a dramatic race. For Hamilton and Leclerc, it will be a battle to salvage points from a race that many had hoped would deliver a memorable performance. Fans of both drivers will now be hoping that the grand prix can provide the redemption these two champions desperately need.