Lewis Hamilton "really shocked" by "hardcore" penalty for Italian GP

Lewis Hamilton says he was “really, really shocked” by his five-place grid penalty for a pre-race yellow-flag infringement at Zandvoort

After almost a week to mull it over, Lewis Hamilton has reflected on the five-place grid penalty he received following the Dutch Grand Prix for a yellow flag infringement that took place ahead of the race. Admitting he was "really, really shocked" to find out about the penalty, he described it as "pretty hardcore" as he looks to finish well in front of the Tifosi this weekend at Monza.

The Ferrari driver was penalised for not lowering his speed enough under double waved yellow flags when driving reconnaissance laps ahead of the Zandvoort race. The FIA gave him a five-place grid penalty, but only when he returned home following the weekend did he find out about it.

When asked about his frustration ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Hamilton said: "I mean, I don't know how the other drivers have felt about the decisions of the last race. I landed back home and then saw that I got this penalty and I was really, really shocked, to be honest. But 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, not enough. That's why it's, I guess, they're saying not more, but to get the penalty and get penalty points, it's pretty hardcore.

"But I learned from it and there's no point whinging about it. I just, I'll move forward."

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

After a difficult season with Ferrari, Hamilton is hoping he can use the support the Scuderia receives in Italy to push him up the grid. But the penalty has made that a lot harder.

"It's going to be challenging this weekend," he admitted. "Qualifying is already so close between us all. So just getting to Q3 is tough. Getting in the top five is very, very tough.

"And then 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.

"But it gives me more to fight for. And I'm very motivated to make up those places regardless."