Piastri handed three-place grid penalty at Monza
Oscar Piastri drops from third to sixth on the 2026 Italian Grand Prix grid after stewards imposed a three-place penalty for impeding Liam Lawson in Q2 at Monza. The McLaren driver was on an out-lap when he delayed the Red Bull substitute at the first chicane. Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen each gain one spot. Lawson was eliminated in Q2.
Penalty details
Oscar Piastri has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix after impeding Liam Lawson during qualifying at Monza.[1] The McLaren driver qualified third but drops to sixth on the grid for Sunday's race. Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen each move up one position.[2]
The incident occurred in the closing stages of Q2. Piastri was on an out-lap approaching the first chicane when he slowed to allow Verstappen through. He then delayed Lawson on the exit toward Curva Grande.[1]
Stewards' decision
Lawson was eliminated in Q2 and starts from the back after a power-unit change.[3] Piastri's original qualifying time stands unchanged.
Related reading
- [1]Piastri hit with three-place grid penalty for impeding Lawson in Monza Qualifying (formula1). Accessed 2026-09-06.
- [2]Oscar Piastri hit with three-place Italian GP grid penalty (motorsport). Accessed 2026-09-06.
- [3]Piastri handed three-place grid drop for impeding Lawson (racefans). Accessed 2026-09-06.