Liam Lawson to Start Canadian Grand Prix from Pit Lane After Major Power Unit Overhaul

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson will begin the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix from the pit lane following a series of late technical changes to his car that triggered multiple grid penalties.

Lawson, who qualified 18th with a Q1 time of 1:12.525, was already facing an uphill battle. With limited downside due to his qualifying position, the team made the strategic decision to install a fresh set of power unit components — exceeding the season's allocation and incurring automatic penalties.

Engine and Component Changes Push Lawson Over FIA Limits

Lawson's car has now received:

A fifth internal combustion engine (ICE)

A fifth turbocharger (TC)

A fifth MGU-H unit

A third energy store (ES)

A third control electronics (CE)

F1 regulations allow only four of each of the first three components and just two of the latter two per season. Each excess component triggered a 10-place grid penalty, totaling 50 positions — far more than the entire starting grid.

Additional Parc Fermé Violation Leads to Pit Lane Start

On top of the power unit changes, Racing Bulls made suspension setup alterations after the car was placed under parc fermé conditions, another breach of FIA rules.

According to the FIA stewards:

"The use of each additional element in this case carries a 10 grid place penalty, therefore, there is an accumulation of 50 places.
Power Unit elements were changed without the permission of the FIA Technical Delegate.
Racing Bulls F1 Team changed the setup of the suspension… not in accordance with Article 40.9 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations."

As a result, Lawson will not line up on the grid but will instead start the race from the pit lane — a last-ditch effort by Racing Bulls to reset and optimize performance for the remainder of the weekend.

While this setback further complicates Lawson's race, the fresh components could provide a performance edge in future rounds as the team rotates through its expanded engine pool.