Hamilton’s Imola Frustration Grows as Grid Penalty...read more

Hamilton’s Imola Frustration Grows as Grid Penalty Chaos O…read more

Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of a strong result at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix were dashed yet again, as the F1 legend could only manage a fourth-place finish in a race where misfortune loomed large. Despite putting on a brave face, the seven-time world champion’s weekend was marred by an underwhelming qualifying performance that saw him start 12th on the grid—yet another blow in a season of disappointment since joining Ferrari.

In a bittersweet twist, Hamilton’s performance was overshadowed by a dramatic penalty handed to Yuki Tsunoda. The Red Bull driver suffered a terrifying crash in qualifying, flipping violently into the barriers. In the aftermath, the FIA handed down a brutal 20-place grid penalty, making Tsunoda’s weekend one to forget.

Though Hamilton clawed his way up the order during the race, his efforts were largely in vain. The Ferrari lacked pace compared to its rivals, and any real shot at the podium slipped through his fingers. He later admitted this was the first time in weeks he felt “aligned” with the car—an acknowledgement that things have been far from ideal.

While Max Verstappen cruised to yet another dominant win and McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri celebrated podium finishes, Hamilton was left reflecting on what might have been. For Ferrari fans, the flashes of competitiveness offer a flicker of hope—but for Hamilton, this was another chapter in a season filled with missed chances and mounting pressure.

Tsunoda’s catastrophic qualifying crash and harsh penalty only added to the gloom, serving as a sobering reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn in Formula 1.