Oscar Piastri has been handed a three-place grid penalty for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix after the FIA stewards ruled that the McLaren driver impeded Liam Lawson during Q2 at Monza. The decision gives Ferrari a major grid boost, promoting Charles Leclerc to third and Lewis Hamilton to fourth for the start.
The ruling means both Ferrari SF-26 cars will line up together on the second row, immediately behind pole-sitter Pierre Gasly and George Russell. Oscar Piastri, who had originally qualified ahead of both Ferraris, drops three places to sixth.
Oscar Piastri receives three-place Italian GP grid penalty
The investigation into Oscar Piastri centred on an impeding incident involving Liam Lawson during Q2. The Australian found himself in a difficult situation as he entered the first chicane on his out-lap while Liam Lawson was approaching rapidly from behind on a flying lap.
The stewards ultimately imposed the three-place grid drop for impeding, confirming the penalty that Ferrari had been waiting for following qualifying. Oscar Piastri therefore falls to sixth on the starting grid, while both Maranello cars advance by one position.
Charles Leclerc P3 and Lewis Hamilton P4 after FIA decision
Charles Leclerc will now start the Italian Grand Prix from third place, with Lewis Hamilton alongside in fourth. It completes an all-Ferrari second row after a qualifying session in which the Scuderia had initially finished fourth and fifth.
The change significantly improves Ferrari’s starting position after its difficult Monza qualifying session, putting both SF-26 cars directly behind Pierre Gasly and George Russell when the field lines up for the race.
Ferrari will therefore have two cars immediately within range of the front row at its home Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupying the second row together.
Max Verstappen also gains a place on the Monza grid
Oscar Piastri’s penalty also promotes Max Verstappen by one position. The Red Bull driver will start fifth on the third row, directly behind the two Ferraris and ahead of the penalised McLaren.
Oscar Piastri will line up sixth after losing his original starting position, leaving the revised front of the grid with Pierre Gasly and George Russell on the first row, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton on the second, and Max Verstappen heading the third row.
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