Having qualified 3rd for the 2026 F1 Italian GP, Oscar Piastri will start from 6th as he received a grid penalty for impeding Liam Lawson.
As Q2 came towards its end, Max Verstappen was trying to tow Liam Lawson around to try and get his teammate into Q3 so the Kiwi could try and get him further up the grid.
However, loads of cars were coming out of the pits, including the Australian. While he let the four-time World Champion go, he did not know the other Red Bull was close behind. It led to impeding in the first chicane.
Speaking in the post-qualifying press conference, Oscar Piastri explained his point of view as to what happened with Liam Lawson in 2026 F1 Italian GP qualifying.
“Yeah, I was coming out of the pits. And I mean, the speed difference out of the pits is so so big here.
“So yeah, I don’t really know where where he came from. Yeah, need to review with the team.”
Meanwhile, the New Zealander said: “Yeah, I mean, it just wasn’t ideal. We obviously left it to the end there to try and put a lap together. Tyres were pretty hot after just one cool [lap].
“And then, yeah, obviously not ideal getting blocked at turn one.”
Stewards verdict for Oscar Piastri’s penalty after impeding Liam Lawson in 2026 F1 Italian GP qualifying
The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 81 (Oscar Piastri), the driver of Car 30 (Liam Lawson), team representatives and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry, team radio and in-car video evidence.
On leaving the pits, the driver of Car 81 was advised that “Verstappen. Lawson and Sainz just crossing, Sainz has pitted, Just Verstappen and Lawson, watch out for them as you join”. The driver of Car 81 stated that he was not alerted to the fact that VER and LAW were on push laps but realised as he was almost at turn 1 that VER was on a push lap. He slowed significantly and kept to the right to allow VER to pass but was unable to do anything to avoid impeding LAW who was close behind.
The Stewards accept that with the information he had, and the situation he was placed in, the driver of Car 81 had, at this stage, no other options available and hence, inadvertently, and also unnecessarily, impeded Car 30.
Therefore the standard penalty of a drop of 3 grid positions is imposed.
