Max Verstappen faced a setback during qualifying at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, as a rear axle issue limited his performance and resulted in a sixth-place start on the grid. The problem, which Verstappen detected immediately on his first flying lap, has been a recurring concern for Red Bull Racing this season.
The rear axle fault caused instability over the kerbs and bumps of the Monza circuit, compromising Verstappen’s ability to extract maximum performance on the tight and challenging track. Despite these difficulties, Verstappen managed to qualify just under three tenths of a second behind pole sitter Pierre Gasly, notably without benefiting from a tow on his final Q3 lap.
This technical issue was part of a broader challenging qualifying session for Red Bull. Liam Lawson, who was substituting for the injured Isack Hadjar, qualified 13th but is set to start from the back of the grid due to power unit penalties. Lawson’s session was further hampered by being blocked at the first chicane by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, an incident currently under investigation by the stewards.
Verstappen expressed hope that addressing the rear axle problem before the race could improve his car’s stability and pace, potentially allowing him to compete for a podium finish. However, he remained cautious about the extent to which the issue might affect his race performance. Lawson, meanwhile, focused on race setup and long runs, aware that his starting position would limit his qualifying impact.
The qualifying session highlighted the challenges Red Bull Racing continues to face with reliability and traffic management. Verstappen’s sixth place on the grid reflects both the technical difficulties and the competitive nature of the field at Monza. Meanwhile, the stewards’ review of the blocking incident involving Lawson and Piastri will determine if any penalties affect the starting order.
Overall, the session underlined how small technical issues can influence performance on a demanding circuit like Monza. Red Bull’s ability to resolve the rear axle problem ahead of the race will be a key factor in Verstappen’s prospects during the Grand Prix. Lawson’s situation also illustrates the complexities drivers face when combining substitute duties with grid penalties and on-track incidents.
The qualifying results and incidents provide a clear snapshot of Red Bull Racing’s current challenges at this stage of the 2026 season, with both drivers affected by factors beyond pure pace. The team’s response to these issues will shape their competitiveness as the weekend progresses.