MONZA, Italy: As if a first Italian Grand Prix with Ferrari isn’t incentive enough this weekend, Lewis Hamilton says he has extra motivation for his first time in red at the iconic Monza track.
A disastrous Dutch Grand Prix last weekend for both Hamilton and Ferrari culminated in the seven-time world champion being handed a five-place grid penalty — to be served at Monza — for failing to slow down enough while driving to the grid before the race.
“I landed back home and then saw that I got this penalty and I was really, really shocked,” Hamilton said Thursday.
“To get the penalty and get (license) penalty points was pretty hard core, but I’m over it, there’s no point moaning about it, I’ve just got to move forward.”
However, that has only served to spur him on even more as Hamilton prepares to race at the Temple of Speed for the 19th time but a first with the Italian Scuderia.
“It’s going to be challenging this weekend,” Hamilton added. “Qualifying is already… it’s already so close between us all, so just getting into Q3 is tough, getting into the top five is very, very tough.
“Then, on top of that, to be set back five places is not great when you’re going into your first Monza GP with Ferrari, but in the end it gives me more to fight for and I’m very motivated to make up those places.”
The 40-year-old Hamilton has had a difficult first season with the Italian team. He won a sprint race in China in March and has three fourth-place finishes — including at Imola in May in his first taste of racing in red in Italy — but hasn’t yet reached the podium in a grand prix for Ferrari.
Hamilton hit the wall at the Dutch Grand Prix as both Ferraris failed to finish but he said there were still “loads of positives” to take from the weekend.
The British driver is sixth in the drivers’ championship with 109 points — 200 fewer than leader Oscar Piastri.
“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” Hamilton said about his start with Ferrari. “Did I expect it to be as volatile in terms of the feeling? No, but that’s life.
“I like to think that we’re coming, even though we had a difficult Sunday, we’re coming out on the brighter end of the tunnel.”
Hamilton’s grid penalty gives him ‘more to fight for’ in Monza debut with Ferrari
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Hamilton’s grid penalty gives him ‘more to fight for’ in Monza debut with Ferrari
- “I landed back home and then saw that I got this penalty and I was really, really shocked,” Hamilton said
- “It’s going to be challenging this weekend”
Newcastle complete cruise into Champions League last 16
- The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham
NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom: Newcastle United completed their stroll into the Champions League last 16 with a 3-2 win over Qarabag on Tuesday to progress 9-3 on aggregate over the Azeri champions.
The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.
A tie that involved an over 5,000-mile (8,000 kilometer) round trip for both sides was killed off inside 45 minutes last week as Newcastle led 5-0 at half-time on their way to a 6-1 rout.
That allowed Eddie Howe to heavily rotate his side, with four-goal hero from the first leg Anthony Gordon among those left on the bench.
Newcastle still made another fast start to add to their lead twice inside six minutes.
Sandro Tonali fired in the rebound after Dan Burn’s shot was saved before Joelinton stroked in Harvey Barnes’ cross.
Qarabag had taken the scalps of Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt in the league phase to make the play-off round and at least salvaged some pride with two goals in the second half.
Camilo Duran outpaced Burn to pull a goal back before the Newcastle defender was penalized for handball inside the box.The Magpies will make up a six-strong contingent of English sides in the last 16 alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.
Aaron Ramsdale saved Marko Jankovic’s penalty but Elvin Jafarguliyev netted the rebound.
In between the visitors’ two goals, Sven Botman powered in a header from a corner.
That took the tally of goals conceded by Qarabag in the Champions League to 30 — a single season record in the competition.
