The FIA has handed Lewis Hamilton the maximum penalty after his crash during the Dutch Grand Prix and has decided to send the Ferrari driver even further down the pit lane.

Zandvoort, August 31, 2025 – The Dutch Grand Prix turned into a disastrous day for Ferrari, especially for Lewis Hamilton, who not only crashed at the Zandvoort circuit but was also hit with a heavy penalty from the FIA. The seven-time world champion, currently in his debut season with Ferrari, faced an unprecedented setback when he lost control of his car on lap 23 of the race and slammed into the barriers. As if that weren’t enough, the FIA imposed the maximum penalty on him after the race for a rules infringement during the reconnaissance lap before the Grand Prix start. This punishment will force Hamilton to start from the pit lane at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari’s home race, a decision that has shocked both fans and analysts alike.

The race at Zandvoort had started on a promising note for Hamilton. He qualified seventh, a position that raised hopes after a string of disappointing results since his move from Mercedes to Ferrari. During the race, he seemed well-placed, chasing his former teammate George Russell, when light rain made the circuit treacherous. Having just asked for an early pit stop over the team radio, Hamilton carried too much speed into the banked Turn 3. His Ferrari skidded over a slick, painted section of the track, lost grip, and crashed into the wall. The heavy impact caused severe damage to the front of his SF-25, forcing him to register his first Did Not Finish (DNF) as a Ferrari driver. Hamilton immediately apologized over the radio, admitting it was a driver error: “I’m so sorry, guys,” he said as he climbed out of the car unharmed.

However, the FIA had more in store for Hamilton. Before the race even began, he had already been flagged for a violation during his reconnaissance laps to the grid. According to the stewards, Hamilton failed to sufficiently slow down under double yellow flags, a serious breach of safety rules outlined in Appendix H, Article 2.5.5(b) of the FIA International Sporting Code. He also failed to meet the requirement to drive at a “significantly reduced speed” through the pit lane, as prescribed in Article 44.1 of the F1 Sporting Regulations. After a thorough investigation, analyzing telemetry data from both the FIA and Ferrari, the stewards concluded that Hamilton’s speed reduction of only 20 km/h was not enough to be considered “significant.”

The penalty that followed was unusually harsh. Instead of a typical five- or ten-place grid drop, the FIA imposed the maximum sanction: a start from the pit lane for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Additionally, he received two penalty points on his super license. The decision was justified on the grounds that Hamilton’s offense occurred in a critical safety zone, particularly with marshals and other cars present in the pit lane. The stewards stressed that despite Hamilton’s attempt to slow down, his actions did not meet the strict regulatory standards.

For Ferrari and Hamilton, this penalty is yet another blow in an already difficult season. Hamilton has yet to score a podium since switching to Ferrari and continues to struggle with the inconsistency of the SF-25. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, also suffered a dramatic race at Zandvoort, retiring on lap 53 after a collision with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli. This double DNF was a rare stain on Ferrari’s record and highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles. Leclerc’s crash resulted in a 10-second penalty for Antonelli, but in Hamilton’s case, there was no one else to blame—his accident was the result of his own miscalculation.

Reactions to the penalty were mixed. Some fans praised the FIA for strictly enforcing safety standards, while others considered the punishment excessive, given Hamilton’s attempt to slow down and the absence of immediate consequences from his violation. In media statements, Hamilton said: “I was completely caught off guard by what happened. The rear snapped out, and I couldn’t correct it.” He also voiced his frustration with Ferrari’s ongoing adjustment challenges but emphasized that the team is making progress.

With the Italian Grand Prix on the horizon, Hamilton faces a steep uphill battle. Starting from the pit lane at Monza—a circuit where Ferrari has traditionally excelled—will severely limit his chances of securing a strong result. This penalty, coupled with his Zandvoort crash, casts a shadow over his hopes of rediscovering his love for racing after a challenging first half of the season. For Ferrari and its tifosi, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering the high expectations surrounding Hamilton’s arrival at the team. The question now is whether the legendary driver can overcome these setbacks and make his mark in Ferrari red.