Lewis Hamilton Faces Grid Penalty at Monza After Yellow Flag Breach

Lewis Hamilton has been penalized with a five-place grid drop for the upcoming Monza Grand Prix after failing to sufficiently reduce his speed under double-waved yellow flags during reconnaissance laps at Zandvoort. The incident occurred ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, where Hamilton was summoned by the stewards for speeding under caution.

Incident Details

The Ferrari driver was found to have breached safety protocols during the reconnaissance laps leading up to the race. The Zandvoort circuit's unique layout, where the pit lane entry overlaps with the grid, necessitated the use of double-waved yellow flags in the final corner to ensure drivers reduced their speed significantly before entering the pits.

Stewards' Decision

After reviewing telemetry data, the stewards determined that Hamilton had not reduced his speed adequately. While he did slow down by approximately 20kph and applied 10% to 20% less throttle, this was deemed insufficient for the double-waved yellow flag conditions. The stewards noted that Hamilton braked 70 metres earlier than usual but concluded that his speed was still not 'greatly' reduced.

Penalty Rationale

Typically, such an infringement would result in a 10-place grid penalty. However, the stewards considered Hamilton's efforts to slow down and brake earlier as mitigating factors, leading to a reduced penalty of five grid positions. This decision was announced nearly four hours after the race, adding to Hamilton's disappointing weekend, which included a crash on Lap 23.

Leclerc's Incident

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc avoided a penalty after a collision with George Russell at Turn 12 during the Dutch Grand Prix. The stewards ruled the incident as a racing incident, with both drivers agreeing that no further action was necessary. The investigation found no conclusive evidence that Leclerc had left the track during the maneuver.

Impact on Monza

Hamilton's penalty will significantly impact his starting position at Monza, Ferrari's home race, where every grid spot is crucial. The decision highlights the stringent enforcement of safety rules in Formula 1, even for seasoned drivers like Hamilton.