Piastri’s Monza Grid Slot in Doubt After Qualifying Impeding Allegation

Oscar Piastri faces the prospect of losing his third place on the Italian Grand Prix grid after being summoned to the stewards for allegedly impeding Liam Lawson during qualifying at Monza.

The incident occurred in the dying moments of Q2, as Lawson—competing in his second Red Bull race of the year as a replacement for the injured Isack Hadjar—prepared for his final flying lap.

Piastri was on an out-lap approaching the first chicane and slowed to allow Lawson’s Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen through, as Red Bull had sent its drivers out earlier. However, the McLaren driver then slotted in ahead of Lawson through the chicane, delaying the New Zealander on the exit of the corner leading onto Curva Grande.

Lawson subsequently failed to progress from Q2, ending the session in 14th place.

The incident will not affect Lawson’s actual starting position, as he was already set to start from the back of the grid after Red Bull introduced new power unit components to the RB22 he is driving this weekend.

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

Piastri, meanwhile, progressed to Q3 and went on to qualify third, behind polesitter Pierre Gasly and Mercedes driver George Russell.

His starting position is now under threat after both Piastri and Lawson were summoned to see the stewards at 17:40 local time.

The FIA summons states that Piastri is being investigated for an alleged breach of Article B4.1.1 of the FIA Formula 1 Regulations, with the incident officially described as car 81 “allegedly impeding car 30 at turn 2 at 16:38”.

Lawson and a Red Bull team representative have also been summoned over the same incident.

A penalty for Piastri could therefore change the second row of the grid for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.

Source link