Piastri's Italian GP front-row start under threat after stewards summons for impeding Lawson

Oscar Piastri could be stripped of his third-place qualifying position for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix after McLaren and the driver were summoned to the FIA stewards at Monza on Saturday, accused of impeding Red Bull’s Liam Lawson during Q2.

The incident unfolded in the closing moments of the second qualifying segment, as Piastri approached the first chicane on an out-lap. The McLaren driver slowed to allow Max Verstappen through — Red Bull having sent its cars out earlier — but then slotted in ahead of Lawson through the chicane, delaying the New Zealander on the exit leading onto Curva Grande. Lawson failed to advance from Q2, ending the session 14th.

The FIA summons cites an alleged breach of Article B4.1.1 of the Formula 1 Regulations, with the incident formally described as car 81 “allegedly impeding car 30 at turn 2 at 16:38”. Both Piastri and Lawson, along with a Red Bull team representative, were called before the stewards at 17:40 local time.

Piastri had gone on to qualify third behind shock polesitter Pierre Gasly and Mercedes driver George Russell. A grid penalty would reshuffle the second row ahead of the race at Monza.

Lawson is competing in only his second race of the season for Red Bull, standing in for Isack Hadjar, who is sidelined through injury. The impeding incident will not affect Lawson’s own starting position, however — he was already set to begin from the back of the grid after Red Bull fitted new power unit components to the RB22 he is driving this weekend.

The stewards’ verdict is expected before Sunday’s race, leaving Piastri’s grid slot — and the shape of the Italian GP’s front rows — in the balance.