Rain on Hamilton’s parade: another bad news hits the Brit after DNF in Zandvoort

20:26, 31 Aug

Updated: 20:57, 31 Aug

byTobia Elia

Rain on Lewis Hamilton’s parade: after a heavy retirement in the Dutch GP, the seven-time world champion will also start the next weekend in Monza from a disadvantaged position.

The Ferrari driver will indeed serve a five-place grid penalty at the Italian round—his first in red—for failing to slow down under double yellow flags just before the start of the Dutch GP.

''Due to the nature of the track, the Race Director had informed all participants that the last corner before the pit lane would have double yellow flags waved. This was to ensure the safety of those on the grid and in the pit lane,'' the FIA document reads.

''The regulations require that any driver passing through a double waved yellow flag marshalling sector 'reduce speed significantly. We looked through the available telemetry within the FIA system.''

''We also requested the team to provide us with their telemetry data. All of this took some time and this decision was delayed as a result. In addition, Article 44.1 requires all drivers covering more than one reconnaissance lap to drive down the pit entry road at 'greatly reduced speed'.''

''The data showed that the driver had entered the double yellow sector approximately 20kph less than his speed at the same point in practice sessions, had reduced throttle application in the order of 10% to 20% and had lifted and braked 70 metres earlier when entering the pit lane.''

''We did not consider that a 20kph reduction in speed at a double waved yellow sector constituted reducing speed 'significantly'. We also did not consider the speed at which the driver entered the pit entry road as being at a 'greatly' reduced speed.''

Full FIA explanation

A weekend to forget for Hamilton

Before learning about his five-place grid penalty for Monza, Lewis Hamilton had another very challenging GP today. The Brit crashed into the barriers on his own during the race, forcing him to retire and climb out of the car, collecting a heavy zero that further impacts his championship standings.

The seven-time world champion also spoke about his mental state after yet another unlucky weekend, answering questions from the media, including GPBlog, at the end of the race.