Mark Webber admits he couldn’t have done what Lewis Hamilton is doing aged 41 at Monaco GP

Follow us on Google Discover

Lewis Hamilton’s pace at the Monaco Grand Prix is ‘bonkers’ given his age, Channel 4 pundit and former rival Mark Webber says.

Hamilton qualified third for Sunday’s race, two-tenths behind pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli. It’s only the third time this century a driver over the age of 40 has qualified in the top three in Monaco after Michael Schumacher (before his 2012 gearbox penalty) and Fernando Alonso (2023).

While he had appeared to be in the pole position fight coming into the session, Hamilton did at least outpace Charles Leclerc – a mighty feat considering his teammate’s fearsome reputation at this circuit.

Which Monaco Grand Prix win stands as the greatest of all time? 🇲🇨

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Mark Webber applauds Lewis Hamilton’s ‘bonkers’ Monaco Grand Prix performance

Speaking on Channel 4’s highlights show, Webber, who won nine races and scored 42 podiums during his career, admitted that he would have struggled to be ‘in the mix’ in Monaco at Hamilton’s age. This track is regarded as the ultimate test of driver skill and instinct.

A 39-year-old Webber qualified fourth and finished third on his final Monaco appearance, but he was two-tenths slower than teammate Sebastian Vettel over a single lap – a recurring theme in his last few years.

“Bonkers,” was Webber’s verdict. “DC [David Coulthard] and I thought we might be in the mix at that age, but I don’t think [so]. Well, who knows? But I think he’s pretty good, Lewis.”

• READ MORE: Jenson Button ‘surprised’ by what he saw on Lewis Hamilton’s steering wheel at the Monaco Grand Prix

Coulthard, a two-time winner around the principality, said Hamilton passed the Monaco test, even if he missed out on pole.

“Hamilton will be somewhat disappointed to have not made the front row, but he definitely showed that he’s still got the speed around the streets,” he said.

Hamilton hasn’t finished on the podium in Monaco since he stood on the top step in 2019, a drought he’s looking to end on Sunday.

The seven-time world champion is enjoying something of a renaissance at the start of the 2026 season after the two worst years of his career either side of joining Ferrari.