2025-09-05 09:31:11
Lewis Hamilton was left “shocked” by the “hardcore” penalty he received after the Dutch Grand Prix.
The 40-year-old racing driver will start this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix no higher than sixth place after he was issued a five-place grid penalty in the wake of stewards in Zandvoort ruling he had failed to slow sufficiently for double-waved yellow flags on his reconnaissance laps.
The incident occured in the 40 minutes before the race started but it wasn’t investigated until after its conclusion, and Lewis admitted he was frustrated by the penalty, which also included him being issued with two points on his superlicence.
He added to Sky Sports: “I don’t know how the other drivers felt about the decisions from the last race, but when I landed back home and saw I got this penalty, I was really shocked, to be honest.
“But it is what it is. It’s obviously not black and white. The fact is if you look at the [stewards’] report, I did lift but to their liking not enough, so that’s why I guess they’re saying not more.
“To get the penalty and get penalty points was pretty hardcore, but I learn from it and there is no point whinging about it, I’ll move forwards.”
Lewis admitted the penalty makes this weekend even more “challenging” but he’s determined to give the race his all.
He added: “It’s going to be challenging this weekend. Qualifying is already so close between us all. So just getting into Q3 is tough, getting in the top five is very, very tough and on top of that to be set back five places is not great when you’re going into your first Monza GP with Ferrari.
“But it gives me more to fight for and I’m very motivated to make up those places, regardless.”
Visit Bang Premier (main website)
