Lewis Hamilton: Zandvoort Penalty 'Tough to Accept,' But Sees Positives

Lewis Hamilton faced a tough weekend at Zandvoort, retiring from the race after a crash and receiving a five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Monza Grand Prix. Despite the setbacks, the seven-time World Champion maintains a positive outlook, emphasizing team improvements and his determination.

Why it matters

This marks another challenging moment for Ferrari, with both cars crashing out at Zandvoort and Hamilton incurring a penalty for Monza. It highlights the team's ongoing struggle for consistent performance, but Hamilton's renewed positive attitude suggests a shift from his previous despondent remarks.

The big picture

Hamilton, who had spoken bullishly about beating McLaren at the Dutch GP, saw his race end in Turn 3 due to the wet conditions. Later, his teammate Kimi Antonelli also crashed at the same corner. Following the race, the FIA announced Hamilton's penalty for not slowing sufficiently under double-waved yellow flags during an installation lap, adding to the team's woes.

Driving the news

Hamilton took to social media to share his reflections, focusing on the team's progress and his commitment:

• "A result like today is tough to accept, but there are plenty of positives I’m focusing on moving forward."
• "We made improvements with our approach, and the changes implemented are clearly showing progress."
• "Although we’re not yet where we want to be, I’m confident we’re moving in the right direction."
• He vowed to "leave no stone unturned to recover the points lost" and expressed eagerness to see the Tifosi at Monza.

What's next

Hamilton will head to Monza with a five-place grid penalty, meaning even a pole position will not guarantee a start from P1. Amidst his personal disappointment, he also celebrated a milestone for a friend, congratulating Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar on his first F1 podium.