Sky F1 pundit baffled by Lewis Hamilton Hungarian GP penalty

Lydia MeeSun, July 26, 2026 at 4:45 PM UTC·6 min read

Lewis Hamilton was handed a five-second penalty during the Hungarian Grand Prix for exceeding the pitlane speed limit by just 0.1km/h.

The penalty, which dropped Hamilton to fifth place despite crossing the line in fourth, left former driver and Sky Sports Formula 1 pundit Anthony Davidson completely puzzled as he analysed the onboard footage.

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The official ruling from the FIA stewards confirmed that the seven-time champion's Ferrari was clocked at exactly 80.1km/h in the pitlane, 0.1km/h over the limit.

During a detailed review of Hamilton's onboard camera footage, Davidson struggled to see where the Briton had exceeded the limit.

"I can't work out why he gets a penalty," the former driver explained on Sky Sports F1. "For me, he slows down sufficiently well. We've got the marker board on the left-hand side, to stipulate the 80km/h speed limit.

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"Ferrari told him [on the team radio] it was the pitlane entry where he was speeding. I don't see that.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

"Now let's listen for when he releases the pitlane button at this green light coming up here. Now, again, for me, it sounds like he releases it on the line itself, and this guy knows what he's doing when it comes to white lines and when to press the button.

"Maybe it was a bit too close to the line on the actual speed of the car. Who knows, and they were just pinged by that. But strange that it only happened that one time. I can only go by the sound of whether he's pressing that button or not. But for me, it looked totally fine on the way in and on the way out."

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During his post-race interview, Hamilton argued that he did not need to carry out the pitstop at all, claiming that his tyres were "totally fine" and that he could have fought for third place.

Photos from Hungarian GP - Sunday

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Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President, Petr Pavel, President, Czech Republic

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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine

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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Lawrence Stroll, Owner, Aston Martin F1 Team, Gary Gannon, Senior Race Engineer, Aston Martin F1 Team

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Flavio Briatore, Alpine

Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team; Franco Colapinto, Alpine; Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

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Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Pierre Gasly, Alpine

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

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Alexander Albon, Williams

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team; Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

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Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

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Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Lando Norris, McLaren

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren

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