Hamilton Optimistic for Monza Despite Grid Penalty

Lewis Hamilton will start his Italian Grand Prix further back than desired, but the seven-time world champion is brimming with optimism. A strong qualifying performance at Monza underscored the progress made by him and Ferrari.

Why it matters:

Despite a grid penalty pushing him down to 10th for Sunday's race, Hamilton's upbeat mood reflects a significant turnaround in his performance and confidence after earlier season struggles.

The details:

• Hamilton was just a tenth shy of Charles Leclerc in Saturday's shootout, initially earning fifth on the grid.
• A lingering penalty means he will start 10th, setting him up for a challenging race through the field.
• "I am really, really happy with the progress we’ve made particularly on my side of the garage," Hamilton stated after qualifying. "It’s definitely been a lot more solid... I am seeing progress."
• This marks a clear bounce-back from earlier in the season, where he was knocked out in Q1 twice at Spa and later unlapped out of the points in Hungary.

A unique experience at Monza:

Hamilton is also soaking up the magic of racing for Ferrari at Monza, where the Tifosi transform the stands into a sea of red.

• "It’s been amazing being here with Ferrari," he admitted, praising the fans' energy since the Milan event.
• He noted the overwhelming passion, stating, "I’ve not maybe seen that anywhere around the world. Maybe Brazil have that in football but other than that I don’t see it."
• The spectacle has surpassed even his own expectations of what racing for Ferrari at Monza would feel like, recalling when he watched Sebastian Vettel from another team.

What's next:

Hamilton knows Sunday's task will be steep due to his penalty, but he is determined to deliver a strong performance for the Tifosi. With confidence restored and Monza's grandstands roaring, he is ready to scrap: "I don’t know what’s possible for tomorrow but I will find a way to wriggle my way through."