McLaren maintain momentum with strong showing in Monaco
McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates winning the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday.
Image: Gabriel Bouys / AFP
McLaren tightened their grip on both the world drivers' and constructors' championships with another commanding display at the Monaco Grand Prix, reinforcing their position as the pacesetters of the 2025 season.
Despite Ferrari's Charles Leclerc splitting the pair, McLaren once again underlined their status as the team to beat, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finishing first and third, respectively.
With each passing race, the title battle is increasingly shaping up to be an internal affair between the two McLaren drivers. Here, Obakeng Meletse looks at three major talking points following the iconic Monte Carlo showdown.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Norris finds his groove again
Lando Norris arrived in 2025 widely tipped to lead McLaren to their first drivers' championship title since Lewis Hamilton's triumph in 2008. Having wrapped up last year's constructors' title, the team from Surrey looked set to go one better this season.
While Norris started the year as the frontrunner, inconsistent qualifying performances had seen him slip behind his teammate Piastri in the standings. However, his victory in Monaco — his second of the season — was a timely reminder of his class.
He now trails the Australian by just three points in the championship race, and his confidence appears to be returning at just the right time.
Mercedes lose ground
Toto recaps our Sunday in Monaco 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Dgoiv5KpCO — Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 25, 2025
Mercedes endured a forgettable weekend, as both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell struggled to make an impression during qualifying.
Antonelli's light brush with the barrier at the Nouvelle Chicane was symbolic of a weekend where little went right, while Russell's mechanical failure put him on the back foot for the rest of the weekend.
The duo's qualifying positions—14th and 15th — left them far from contention even before the lights went out. On a circuit notorious for limited overtaking, Mercedes failed to roll the dice with their strategy, opting for similar conservative approaches with both drivers.
As a result, their lackluster outing has opened the door for Red Bull, who are now just four points behind in the Constructors' standings heading into this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.
Leclerc keeps Ferrari in the fight
Those special home podium moments 🏆 🍾 pic.twitter.com/WJPepqPX8x — Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 26, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso says Antonio Rudiger faced racist abuse during Club World Cup victory
HEATED EXCHANGE Gustavo Cabral of CF Pachuca reacts with Antonio Ruediger of Real Madrid C. F. during an altercation in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group H match at Bank of America Stadium on June 22, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Picture:/AFP Image:/AFP Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said his defender Antonio Rudiger had complained of a racist incident at the end of Sunday's 3-1 Club World Cup win over Mexican side Pachuca. Rudiger was visibly angered following an exchange of words with Pachuca's Gustavo Cabral after the final whistle and spoke to Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti Abel. Cabral denied he had racially abused the German centre-back. Asked about the incident in the post-match press conference, Alonso said: Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading FIFA Protocol Activated Following Alleged Racist Incident Involving Rudiger and Cabral "Toni told us something, we support Toni and we will see what happens. "I think the FIFA protocol has been activated to investigate, but if it has happened, all measures should be taken and we support Antonio because it's something unacceptable. "In football there is no tolerance for this, and if it happened, then measures should be taken. This is what Antonio has told us and we believe him. It's being investigated now," he said. Cabral, 39, spoke after the game and said his words had been misinterpreted by Rudiger.
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
Carlos Alcaraz sounds ominous Wimbledon warning with Queens victory
UNSTOPPABLE Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning a point against Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka during their men's singles final tennis match at the HSBC ATP tennis Championships at Queen's Club in west London on June 22, 2025. Picture: Adrian Dennis / AFP Image: Adrian Dennis / AFP Carlos Alcaraz clinched his second Queen's Club title as the world number two warmed up for Wimbledon with a 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 win against Jiri Lehecka in Sunday's final. Alcaraz blasted 33 winners and 18 aces to subdue the gritty Czech world number 30 in two hours and 10 minutes in west London. Having won titles on clay at the French Open, Rome and Monte Carlo, as well as the hard courts of Rotterdam, Alcaraz has now collected five trophies in 2025. The 22-year-old has not lost since the Barcelona final against Holger Rune on April 20 and is enjoying the longest winning streak of his career with 18 successive victories. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Carlos Alcaraz's Dominance on Grass Courts: A Rising Legacy Top seeded Alcaraz is just the second Spanish man to win Queen's twice after Feliciano Lopez, who lifted the trophy in 2017 and 2019. For a player raised on the clay courts of Spain, Alcaraz has developed into a formidable force on grass. The former world number one signalled his emergence on the surface by winning Queen's in 2023. He clinched the Wimbledon title for the first time just weeks later and defended his All England Club crown last year. Alcaraz, who has an 11-1 career record at Queen's, will start his bid for a third successive Wimbledon title on June 30. After his semi-final win over Roberto Bautista Agut on Saturday, Alcaraz fired an ominous message to his Wimbledon rivals, warning that his "grass-court mode" had been activated. And on the evidence of his relentless display against the obdurate Lehecka, he is in no mood to surrender his All England Club crown.
eNCA
14 hours ago
- eNCA
India still on top in first Test despite Brook 50for England
Local hero Harry Brook defied India's attack with a quickfire fifty but wickets at the other end kept the tourists on top in the first Test at Headingley on Sunday. England were 327-5 at lunch on the third day, still 144 runs behind India's first-innings 471, which featured hundreds from captain Shubman Gil, Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal. But Brook, caught off a Jasprit Bumrah no-ball when on nought in Saturday's last over and dropped Sunday by wicketkeeper Pant on 46, was still there on 57 not out. Jamie Smith (29 not out) had so far helped Brook add 51 in 12 overs for the sixth wicket. Brook's innings was the more important following the loss early Sunday of England century-maker Ollie Pope. England resumed on 209-3, 262 runs behind, after Pope had rescued them from the depths of 4-1 with a superb 100 not out after being dropped on 60. Brook got off the mark on his Yorkshire home ground by thrashing the fifth delivery of Sunday's play, from Prasidh Krishna, for four and next ball pulled the paceman for a soaring six. But Krishna then became the first member of India's attack other than outstanding fast bowler Bumrah to take a wicket this match, albeit with a loose delivery. England vice-captain Pope had added just six runs to his score when he tried to cut a short and wide ball from outside off stump only to get a thin edge to Pant. Pope's exit brought in England captain Ben Stokes, whose decision to field first after winning the toss in good batting conditions was criticised by ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan. Brook, meanwhile, treated Bumrah, one of the best bowlers in the world, with disdain when he advanced down the pitch and him through the covers for four. He then dished out similar treatment to Mohammed Siraj. But from around the wicket, fast bowler Siraj induced left-handed batsman Stokes, on 20, into pushing outside off stump at a ball that moved away slightly, with Pant holding a simple catch. Stokes, without a Test century for two years, threw his bat in the air in frustration as he walked off with England 276-5. One danger for Brook wast that he would run out of partners and Shardul Thakur had Smith (nine) given out lbw only for the batsman's review to indicate the ball would have missed leg stump. AFP | Darren Staples But Brook should have been out on 46 when he pushed forward defensively to left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja only for Pant to drop the thin edge. It was not long before Brook completed a 65-ball fifty, including seven fours and a six -- the 26-year-old's 12th half century in a 26-Test career that also includes eight hundreds.
