Hamilton 'motivated' by 'shocking' grid penalty for Ferrari debut at Monza

15:39, 04 Sep

Updated: 17:23, 04 Sep

byKada Sarkozi

Lewis Hamilton will start the Italian Grand Prix with a five-place grid penalty. Is a podium still on the cards for the world champion?

Apart from his crash on Lap 23 of the Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton was encouraged by his weekend in Zandvoort, explaining that together with the team, they could progress.

Next on the calendar is the Italian Grand Prix, where Hamilton will compete in front of the Monza Tifosi for the first time as a Ferrari driver.

The Briton however already has a five-place grid penalty for the next Grand Prix, before the weekend has begun.

The stewards penalised the seven-time world champion back in the Netherlands for speeding under the double yellow flags on the reconnaissance lap.

"Of course," Hamilton said when asked about whether he was frustrated to only see the stewards' verdict after the race.

"I don't know how the other drivers have felt about the decisions of the last race, but I landed back home, and then saw that I got this penalty: I was really, really shocked to be honest. I mean it is what it is.

"It's obviously not black and white. The fact is, if you look at the report, I did lift, but to their liking [it was] not enough.

"That's why they're saying [it's] not more [than five places], but to get the penalty and get penalty points, [it's] pretty hardcore," he shared his verdict.

"I learned from it and there's no point whinging about it. I'll move forward. It's going to be challenging this weekend."

Lewis Hamilton at the press conference ahead of the Italian GP weekend

Hamilton expects challenging Ferrari debut in Monza

Hamilton was also asked whether a first podium for Ferrari podium is possible with such a penalty.

The British driver has finished in P4 on multiple occasions and won the Sprint in Shanghai, but is yet to finish inside the top 3 on a Sunday.

"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 then be set back five places is not great when you're going into your first Monza GP with Ferrari. It gives me more to fight for and I'm very motivated to make up those places regardless," he concluded.