Lewis Hamilton boost as FIA issue Kimi Antonelli F1 penalty at Hungarian Grand Prix

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Lewis Hamilton boost as FIA issue Kimi Antonelli penalty at Hungarian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton's title hopes have been boosted in Budapest

Dan Ripley Global Editor

Professional F1 journalist and analyst

Saturday 25 July 2026 20:08

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Lewis Hamilton's Hungarian Grand Prix hopes took a dramatic twist on Saturday night after F1 title rival Kimi Antonelli was hit with a grid penalty.

Hamilton had initially qualified on the front row behind pole sitter Lando Norris, only to be hit with a three-place grid penalty for impeding the world champion's McLaren team-mate, Oscar Piastri.

However, Antonelli, who had qualified fourth for Mercedes, was then also called to see the stewards acting on behalf of the FIA.

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Hamilton's evening then took a turn for the better as the stewards then also hit Antonelli with a three-place grid penalty for failing to slow down enough for yellow flags during the qualifying session.

Stewards confirmed that Antonelli had not lifted enought following Max Verstappen's spin at the final corner as the four-time world champion pushed his Red Bull beyond the limit, and claimed the world championship leader was fortunate not to pick up a more severe penalty.

The stewards said: The driver of Car 12 [Antonelli] stated that on seeing the yellow flag and light panel, he lifted off the throttle earlier than his previous push lap. This was verified by the telemetry.

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FIA stewards explain Antonelli penalty

"However the reduction in speed occurred for a very short period, and in fact the car’s speed when passing the scene of the incident involving Car 3, was slightly higher than that on the previous push lap.

"The mini sector time was only 0.03 second slower than his best time for that mini sector, and whilst, because he had lifted 16 metres earlier, he was 14 km/h slower entering the yellow flag sector, but was 3 km/h faster when passing the incident site due to less application of the brakes entering the corner.

"The FIA representatives noted that the speed reduction in the mini sector was less than 1 per cent.

"The Stewards considered this incident to be different to other incidents that have resulted in no further action, because unlike those cases, there was no significant speed delta through the mini sector compared to the driver’s previous fastest time under similar circumstances.

"The recommended penalty according to the penalty guidelines, for this offence, is a drop of 5 grid positions, however in mitigation of penalty, we considered that the driver did make a reduction in speed, albeit, in our determination, an insufficient and unsustained one.

"Further, the driver had limited time and distance to react. Hence a lower penalty is applied."

New starting grid for Hungarian Grand Prix

This means the starting grid on Sunday will line up with Lando Norris on pole with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc alongside him, and Piastri promoted to third.

Max Verstappen, furious with his Red Bull this weekend, will start fourth, while Hamilton lines up fifth following his own penalty, with Mercedes George Russell splitting him and Antonelli.

It could be a pivotal weekend for the championship heading into the F1 summer break, with Hamilton trailing Antonelli by just 45 points in the championship.