Lawson hit with grid penalty ahead of 2026 Italian Grand Prix
Liam Lawson will start the 2026 Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after Red Bull fitted new power unit elements to his car, triggering a penalty that exceeds 15 places.
Penalty details
Liam Lawson will start the 2026 Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid at Monza. Red Bull fitted additional power unit elements to the RB22 he is driving in place of the injured Isack Hadjar. The changes triggered a grid penalty exceeding 15 places under FIA rules.[1][2][3]
Lawson qualified 14th on Saturday but the penalty overrides that result. Other drivers including Kimi Antonelli and Alex Albon also face back-of-grid starts for similar power unit work this weekend.[3]
Context at Monza
The decision allows Red Bull to preserve components for later races while accepting a starting position at the rear on a track where overtaking is possible.[4]
Related reading
- [1]2026 Italian Grand Prix Qualifying report (formula1). Accessed 2026-09-05.
- [2]Oscar Piastri risks losing third in Monza qualifying (motorsport). Accessed 2026-09-05.
- [3]Two more F1 stars join Kimi Antonelli in massive Monza grid penalties (express). Accessed 2026-09-05.
- [4]Liam Lawson takes engine penalty, to start Italian Grand Prix at back of grid (nzherald). Accessed 2026-09-05.