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FIA CONFIRMS 35-PLACE GRID PENALTY FOR RED BULL STAR AT ITALIAN GRAND PRIX

 

Red Bull have suffered a major setback ahead of the 2026 Italian Grand Prix after the FIA officially confirmed a 35-place grid penalty for Liam Lawson at Monza.

 

The penalty, one of the biggest grid drops possible under Formula 1’s current power-unit regulations, comes after Red Bull fitted Lawson’s car with several new power-unit components beyond the permitted allocation for the season. The FIA’s provisional starting grid lists the penalty against Car 30, confirming the sanction.

 

Rather than being the result of an on-track incident, Lawson’s punishment is entirely connected to Red Bull’s decision to introduce additional power-unit elements. The changes included a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, exhaust and other power-unit components, pushing the team beyond its allowance.

 

The consequence is severe.

 

Lawson qualified 14th at Monza, but the 35-place penalty means that qualifying position counts for little. Under the current rules, a penalty exceeding 15 places sends the driver to the back of the grid. Lawson will therefore start the Italian Grand Prix from 21st place.

 

For Red Bull, however, the decision appears to have been part of a wider strategic gamble. Lawson has reportedly confirmed that the team knew he was going to take the penalty at Monza, where the long straights and multiple overtaking opportunities could provide a better chance of recovering positions during the race.

 

But Saturday’s qualifying session added another layer of frustration.

 

Lawson was eliminated in Q2 after finishing 14th, with his session also affected by an incident involving McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Piastri was later handed a separate three-place grid penalty for impeding Lawson, dropping the McLaren driver from third to sixth on the starting grid.

 

Lawson was particularly unhappy with Red Bull’s execution during qualifying, criticising the team’s strategy over the radio after the planned tow arrangement failed to produce the desired result. Nevertheless, with the 35-place penalty already guaranteeing a back-of-the-grid start, Red Bull’s attention will now turn completely toward Sunday’s recovery drive.

 

The penalty also highlights just how complicated the 2026 Italian Grand Prix starting grid has become. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli is carrying a 30-place penalty, while Williams’ Alexander Albon has a 20-place penalty, meaning several drivers will begin the race from the rear despite their qualifying performances.

 

For Lawson, the challenge is now straightforward but enormous: fight his way through the field at one of Formula 1’s fastest circuits.

 

Monza’s long straights could give the Red Bull driver opportunities to make progress, particularly with a fresh power unit. But traffic, tyre management and race strategy will determine whether Lawson can turn what looks like a disastrous grid position into a respectable result.

 

The FIA’s verdict is official. Red Bull deliberately took the power-unit penalty — now Lawson must prove the gamble was worth it.