Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration with Ferrari's strategy after a pit-lane speeding penalty cost him a podium finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26, 2026.
The seven-time champion finished fourth on track but dropped to fifth behind teammate Charles Leclerc after a five-second penalty for exceeding the 80 km/h pit lane limit by 0.1 km/h.
>>> VfB Stuttgart Outbids Hoffenheim to Sign Feyenoord Winger Leo Sauer
McLaren's Lando Norris won the race, ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli.
Hamilton's penalty came during a late Virtual Safety Car period triggered by Oscar Piastri's retirement on lap 56, when Ferrari called him in for an unexpected third pit stop.
Hamilton Questions Late Pit Call
Hamilton said he disagreed with the decision to pit under the VSC, as it cost him track position.
"I definitely don't think we should have taken the stop," he told Sky Sports F1.
"The call came literally just before the pit-lane entry and I didn't have time to debate."
He believed staying out would have secured at least third place. "In hindsight, my tyres were totally fine.
I was probably going to lose out to Max but I think I could have kept third at least," Hamilton said.
The penalty extended his gap to championship leader Antonelli to 50 points heading into the summer break.
Hamilton has now received four penalties in the last three race weekends, including a jump start at Silverstone, a collision at Spa, and a grid drop for impeding in Hungary qualifying.
