Lewis Hamilton’s Grid Penalty Reduces Verstappen Advantage at Hungarian GP

Hungarian GP starting grid

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Following the 2026 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session, Lewis Hamilton was handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding another driver. This placed him fifth on the provisional starting grid, behind Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. Kimi Antonelli, penalized for similar actions, also received a three-place drop but remained seventh on the grid after stewards assessed mitigating circumstances.

The penalty altered the race dynamics: Verstappen, originally sixth in qualifying, moved up two positions due to Piastri’s reward. Hamilton, however, was locked in fifth as per regulations governing grid placement. The system prioritizes penalized drivers first, filling remaining slots with non-penalized contenders based on qualifying speeds.

A Clear Procedure for Establishing the Grid

Hamilton did not enjoy his second place for long

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

Formula 1 regulations (Article B2.5.4) mandate a structured grid allocation process. Key steps include: assigning positions to penalized drivers first, then filling gaps with unpenalized drivers in qualifying order. Hamilton’s five-place deductions (two for obstruction, three for Antonelli’s impact) ensured his fifth-grid position. Antonelli’s penalty applied simultaneously, leaving Verstappen to gain two spots.

What Caused the Confusion?

78 Impeded by Hamilton in qualifying, Piastri gained two places thanks to penalties.

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

The confusion stemmed from outdated assumptions about penalty application. Previously, penalties might offset each other, but current rules separate their effects. Hamilton’s fifth-grid start was finalized before Antonelli’s penalty impacted positional order. Verstappen’s rise occurred naturally as unpenalized drivers filled open spots below the penalized tier.

Photos from Hungarian GP – Sunday

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