Lewis Hamilton reveals shock at 'hardcore' Italian GP penalty

Lewis Hamilton has highlighted his shock at being handed a grid penalty for this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

Hamilton was flagged on the build-up to the Dutch Grand Prix last Sunday for driving too fast under yellow flags during his reconnaissance laps to the grid.

The matter was investigated after the race, with the stewards finding that the seven-time champion did not slow enough in the final part of the track where teams were setting up for the start of the grand prix.

As well as being handed two penalty points on his super licence, Hamilton was issued a five-place penalty for the Monza race, placing him at an early disadvantage for the weekend ahead.

“I landed back home and then saw that I got this penalty, and I was really, really shocked to be honest,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365.

“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.

“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.”

The punishment means that Hamilton will start no higher than sixth place this weekend.

However, the 40-year-old has struggled for one-lap pace of late and has qualified outside the top 10 at two of the previous three grands prix.

With the penalty already hanging over his head, Hamilton is anticpating a difficult maiden Monza weekend as a Ferrari driver.

“Moving forward, it’s going to be challenging this weekend,” he said.

“Qualifying is already so close between us all. So just getting into Q3 is tough, getting in the top five is very, very tough.

“Then, on top of that, to then be set back five places, it's not great when you're going into your first Monza GP with Ferrari.

“It gives me more to fight for, and I'm very motivated to make up those places regardless.”