Piastri receives three-place grid penalty

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has been handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding Red Bull's Liam Lawson during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, dropping him from third to sixth on the starting grid. The decision by the FIA stewards, announced on Saturday, September 5, 2026, reshuffles the top positions for Sunday's race at Monza, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc moving up to third, Lewis Hamilton to fourth, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen to fifth. The incident occurred late in the second qualifying session (Q2) as Lawson was attempting his final flying lap. Piastri was exiting the pit lane and approaching the first chicane when he slowed to allow Verstappen, who was on a fast lap, to pass. Lawson was closely following his Red Bull teammate, leaving Piastri with little room to maneuver. The McLaren driver inadvertently blocked Lawson's path through the chicane, costing the Red Bull driver crucial time. The FIA stewards reviewed extensive evidence, including team radio, telemetry, and video footage. In their official statement, they noted that Piastri had been warned by his team about approaching cars but was not informed that Verstappen and Lawson were on push laps.