Lance Stroll hit with grid penalty after Charles Leclerc clash in opening Monaco GP practice

Lance Stroll has been given a one-place grid penalty following his collision with Charles Leclerc during Friday’s first practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Stroll and Leclerc clashed in unusual fashion in the early stages of FP1 when the Aston Martin driver came back onto the racing line under braking for the hairpin after moving over for another car.

FP1: Leclerc leads Verstappen and Norris in first Monaco GP practice after early collision with Stroll

Leclerc ran into the back of Stroll’s car and damaged his front wing, triggering a red flag, while the Canadian missed the rest of the session due to broken rear suspension and a gearbox change.

Following a review of the incident, the stewards determined that Stroll was “wholly to blame” and thus handed out a one-place grid drop, which will apply for Sunday’s race in the Principality.