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Liam Lawson is set to receive a grid penalty for the Italian Grand Prix after Red Bull introduced new power-unit components to Isack Hadjar’s allocation, RacingNews365 understands.
The change has been made while Hadjar remains sidelined at Monza as he continues to recover from the wrist injury sustained during the Formula 1 summer break. Crucially, however, the components have been assigned to Hadjar’s RB22 rather than specifically to the driver occupying the cockpit this weekend.
That distinction means Lawson should not face an additional penalty when he returns to his usual Racing Bulls car. His return may not come until after next week’s Spanish Grand Prix, but the power-unit change is tied to the car allocation rather than creating a second sanction for the New Zealander.
The latest development follows Red Bull’s decision to keep Lawson in its car at Monza while Hadjar continues his recovery. Hadjar’s absence and Lawson’s revised role at Monza were reported earlier.
Red Bull technical director Pierre Waché indicated on Friday that Lawson would take the grid drop. That expectation influenced Lawson’s approach during FP2, where he followed a slightly different run plan.
The exact power-unit components changed for Lawson have not yet been confirmed. As a result, the precise scale and nature of the penalty remain unclear, although the grid drop itself is expected.
For Red Bull, Monza offers a relatively practical setting in which to accept such a setback. The circuit is known for its significant overtaking opportunities, making it a venue where teams commonly choose to take grid penalties rather than carry the consequence into a more difficult passing environment.
Lawson will therefore begin the Italian Grand Prix facing a compromised starting position, but without the prospect of a further penalty being attached to his eventual return to Racing Bulls. The immediate focus is now on how effectively he can recover ground at the Temple of Speed.
Lawson is not the only driver facing a back-of-the-grid start at Monza. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Williams’ Alex Albon have already been fitted with new components and are also set to line up at the back on Sunday.
With three drivers affected, the opening laps could carry particular strategic significance as teams balance the disadvantage of starting behind against Monza’s opportunities for overtaking during the race.
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