BREAKING; Hamilton Drama in Imola: F1 Star Hit by 20-Place Demotion…read more
Hamilton Drama in Imola: F1 Star Hit by 20-Place Demotion…read more
In a shocking turn of events at the 2025 Imola Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was slapped with a 20-place grid penalty ahead of the race — a decision that sent ripples through the paddock and left Mercedes scrambling for damage control.
The seven-time world champion, who had originally qualified P5, was demoted to the back of the grid after stewards ruled that multiple unauthorized power unit components had been installed on his W16 engine — breaching the sport’s strict allocation limits.
Mercedes confirmed on Saturday night that Hamilton’s car required an emergency power unit change following abnormal telemetry readings during FP3. The replacement involved a new internal combustion engine (ICE), turbocharger, MGU-H, and control electronics triggering an automatic cumulative penalty of 20 grid places.
> “Of course I’m frustrated. We had good pace and a shot at the podium. But it’s a long season, and we’ll keep fighting.”
Hamilton put in a spirited recovery drive on Sunday, eventually finishing P8, salvaging valuable points in what could have been a total disaster for his championship bid.
🔧 Mercedes’ Woes Continue
Team principal Toto Wolff defended the decision, citing reliability concerns, but admitted it was a “painful but necessary call.”
> “We had to act. Risking a failure mid-race would’ve been worse. Still, it’s gutting to lose that kind of track position on a weekend where we looked competitive.”
FIA’s Firm Stance on Component Usage
The FIA has taken a stricter line this season on power unit usage limits, as part of efforts to control costs and maintain competitive balance. Hamilton’s penalty is the most severe issued so far in the 2025 season and could prompt discussions on revisiting component allocation rules for veteran drivers.
📊 Championship Impact
Hamilton now sits 6th in the Drivers’ Standings, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen extending his lead after taking the win in Imola. The Silver Arrows will need to bounce back fast with the high-stakes Monaco Grand Prix just days away.
Stay tuned for further developments as Mercedes investigates the root cause of their power unit issues — and Hamilton looks to turn frustration into fuel on the streets of Monte Carlo.
