Hamilton: It’s been an emotional rollercoaster

A disappointing Dutch Grand Prix last weekend for both Hamilton and Ferrari culminated in the seven-time Formula 1 world champion being handed a five-place grid penalty – to be served at Monza – for failing to slow sufficiently while driving to the grid before the race.

Hamnilton told reporters at Monza on Thursday: "I landed back home and then saw that I got this penalty and I was really, really shocked, to get the penalty and get penalty points on my licence was pretty hardcore, but I’m over it. There’s no point moaning about it, I’ve just got to move forward."

That setback has only served to spur him on as Hamilton prepares to race at the Temple of Speed for the 19th time, but a first with the Italian Scuderia. He said: "It’s going to be challenging this weekend. Qualifying is 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," Hamilton added.

The 40-year-old has endured a difficult first season with Ferrari. 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 has yet to stand on the podium in a grand prix for the Scuderia.

Hamilton hit the wall at Zandvoort as both Ferraris failed to finish, but he insisted there were still "loads of positives" to take from the weekend. The British driver sits sixth in the championship with 109 points – 200 fewer than leader Oscar Piastri.

Of his Ferrari spell so far, Hamilton admitted: "It’s been an emotional rollercoaster. Did I expect it to be as volatile in terms of the feeling? No, but that’s life. I like to think that even though we had a difficult Sunday, we’re coming out on the brighter end of the tunnel."

Reflecting on arrival at Maranello, Hamilton said: "It was such a unique experience. I think already from yesterday [Wednesday] morning, I got to Maranello. And when you walk in and then see the Ferrari logo, I still have to pinch myself. It’s really so unique.

"There are people outside the factory always. I’ve never seen fans outside of a factory before in any of my years… there’s just such a positive energy, clearly so much love for this brand and what it means to people.

"To be in Milan, really in the heart of it all and seeing the fans and just how passionate they were… wow. It was intense but very, very positive. I really tried to harness all that good energy that they gave us," added Hamilton.

The Englishman has yet to finish on the podium for Ferrari in a Grand Prix so far. However, he did win the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race.