Lewis Hamilton is determined to turn adversity into motivation as he prepares for his first Italian Grand Prix with Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion arrives at Monza carrying a five-place grid penalty, a setback he admits is “pretty hardcore,” but one he insists will fuel his push to deliver something memorable for the tifosi.
Hamilton was penalised following the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, where stewards ruled he had failed to sufficiently reduce speed under yellow flags on the formation lap.
The sanction, confirmed hours after the race, also came with two penalty points on his licence. By the time the decision was communicated, Hamilton had already returned to Monaco.
Lewis Hamilton is determined to turn adversity into motivation as he prepares for his first Italian Grand Prix with Ferrari
|REUTERS
“My transgression is obviously not black and white,” Hamilton explained.
“If you look at the report, I did lift, but not enough to their liking.
"To get the penalty and (two) penalty points on my licence was pretty hardcore. But I learned from it and there’s no point whinging about it.”
The punishment complicates what was always going to be a challenging weekend.
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Ferrari have struggled for consistency this season, and Hamilton has yet to secure a podium finish in his debut campaign with the Scuderia.
His solitary highlight so far remains a sprint race victory in China back in April, while crashes and missed opportunities — including a costly accident in the Netherlands — have added to the turbulence of the transition.
“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” Hamilton admitted.
“Did I expect it to be as volatile in terms of the feeling? No, but that’s life.
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Lewis Hamilton crashed out of the Dutch Grand Prix last time out
|REUTERS
"And I’d like to think that even though we had a difficult Sunday (in Zandvoort), we are coming towards the brighter end of the tunnel.”
The scale of the challenge is clear.
Qualifying in 2025 has been notoriously tight, with minimal margins separating the top ten.
“It’s going to be challenging this weekend. Qualifying has been so close between us all that just getting to Q3 is tough," he continued.
"Getting in the top five is very, very tough.
"And then on top of that, to be sent back five places is not great when you’re going into your first Italian Grand Prix with Ferrari, but it gives me more to fight for.
"I’m very motivated to make up those places.”
Monza represents more than just another race for Hamilton.
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Lewis Hamilton is trying to stay positive ahead of the Italian Grand Prix
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The track is steeped in Ferrari history, and for decades has been the stage where the team’s connection to its fans — the tifosi — is at its most passionate.
Hamilton has already had a taste of that adoration, receiving a hero’s welcome at a pre-race event in Milan earlier this week.
“I don’t want to miss any of these special moments. Like my first Monza in red," he said.
"It’s going to be incredibly special leaving the garage. I want to give the tifosi absolutely everything because the passion and the support they’ve given me and this team is like nothing I’ve ever seen.”