JUST IN: Lewis Hamilton Suffers FIA Grid Penalty After Monza Qualifying STRUGGLES… Read more
Lewis Hamilton Suffers FIA Grid Penalty After Monza Qualifying Struggles
Lewis Hamilton’s tough start to life as a Ferrari driver has taken another frustrating turn, as the seven-time world champion was hit with a grid penalty at the Italian Grand Prix. What was already a disappointing qualifying session at Monza quickly worsened when it was confirmed that Hamilton would be serving a five-place penalty, dropping him outside the top 10 for Sunday’s race.
Hamilton had managed only fifth in qualifying, once again finishing behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. That made it the 12th time this season that Leclerc has outqualified him, further underlining the difficulties Hamilton has faced in adapting to his new team. For a driver who arrived in Maranello with sky-high expectations earlier this year, the contrast between ambition and reality has been stark.
The penalty itself was not handed out in Italy, but instead carried over from the Dutch Grand Prix the previous weekend. At Zandvoort, Hamilton was penalized by the FIA for failing to slow down sufficiently under yellow flag conditions. However, because he crashed out of the race before the penalty could be served, the punishment was deferred to the following event – leaving Monza as the unlucky stage for its enforcement.
As a result, Hamilton will line up 10th on the grid at Ferrari’s home race, much to the disappointment of the tifosi who had hoped to see him in podium contention. The timing could hardly be worse, as Hamilton is still chasing his first top-three finish in Ferrari red. With the Scuderia’s passionate fanbase watching on at Monza, the pressure to deliver has never been greater.
So far, Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari has been underwhelming. He sits sixth in the drivers’ standings, a hefty 42 points adrift of Leclerc, who has consistently been the team’s stronger performer. While Leclerc has provided flashes of brilliance – not least his memorable victory at Monza in 2024 – Hamilton has struggled to match that level.
Sunday’s race presents another uphill battle for the Brit. Starting from 10th, he will have to fight his way through the midfield to even get into podium contention, and at a circuit known as the “Temple of Speed,” overtaking opportunities are limited once the DRS trains form. The Ferrari strategy team will also be under scrutiny, as any missteps could further derail Hamilton’s chances of salvaging a strong result.
On the other side of the garage, there is a glimmer of hope for Ferrari. Leclerc’s fourth-place grid slot puts him in a decent position to challenge the leading pack. With the home crowd behind him, the Monegasque driver may yet deliver another special performance and give Ferrari fans reason to celebrate.
At the sharp end of the grid, the battle for the championship intensifies. Max Verstappen will start from pole, continuing to extract the maximum from his Red Bull despite their inconsistency this year. McLaren’s pairing of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri lock out second and third, keeping their title fight alive, while Hamilton’s penalty elevates George Russell into the top five.
For Hamilton, though, the focus will be on damage limitation. His dream of celebrating a podium with Ferrari in front of the Monza faithful has become significantly harder, but as history has shown, the Briton thrives under pressure. The tifosi will be hoping he can summon some of his old magic on Sunday.
About The Author
