Liam Lawson has also received a grid penalty for the Italian Grand Prix. Red Bull decided to perform an engine change on the RB22 of the New Zealander on the Saturday before qualifying, causing him – like Andrea Kimi Antonelli – to start at the back of the grid. Lawson – who replaces the injured Isack Hadjar at Monza – is thus free to help temporary teammate Max Verstappen with a slipstream.
Read more Result third free practice (FP3) GP Italy
Liam Lawson is not the only driver starting at the back of the grid for the Italian GP. It was already announced earlier that Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Williams driver Alex Albon have also received grid penalties. For the Silver Arrows, plans are therefore already in place to have Kimi Antonelli help his teammate George Russell with a slipstream. The two already practiced this during the third free practice.
Read more FP3 GP Italy: Russell fastest in slipstream battle, Verstappen impressively third
Can Lawson help Verstappen?
With his grid penalty, Lawson is free during qualifying to do the same for Max Verstappen, provided both Red Bull drivers make it to Q3. However, during the third free practice, the New Zealander only managed a twelfth place time. Verstappen completed the top three behind Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
Read more Are more grid penalties coming for Mercedes? ‘They have decided to take ADUO upgrades after all’
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