Max Verstappen starts sixth at Italian Grand Prix after rear axle issues

4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 6, 2026, 5:50 PM

Last updated Sep 6, 2026

Max Verstappen starts sixth at Italian Grand Prix after rear axle issues
Summary

Max Verstappen finished qualifying in sixth position for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza after experiencing a recurring problem with his car’s rear axle. The Red Bull driver reported that the issue affected the vehicle's handling on bumps and kerbs, limiting his performance during the session. Verstappen, a four-time World Champion, finished less than three tenths of a second behind Pierre Gasly, who secured pole position. Team mate Liam Lawson failed to advance to the final qualifying session and will start at the back of the grid due to impending power unit changes. Lawson’s progression was further hindered after being blocked by Oscar Piastri during his final Q2 effort. Red Bull aims to address the technical faults before the 53-lap race to improve the car's setup.

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By the Numbers
  • •Max Verstappen qualified sixth at the Italian Grand Prix.
  • •A persistent rear axle problem limited the Red Bull car's performance.
  • •Pierre Gasly secured pole position for Sunday's 53-lap race.
  • •Liam Lawson will start from the back of the grid following power unit changes.
  • •Stewards are investigating an incident involving Oscar Piastri and Liam Lawson.
Latest Updates
  • 3:29 PMYahoo Sports — Max Verstappen Details Tarmac Break-Up Scare in Run to Italian GP Podium
  • 10:30 AMYahoo Sports — Verstappen Sounds the Alarm on Red Bull’s Monza Problems: “We Are Not Operating at 100%”
What they're saying
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Max Verstappen will line up on the third row for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, but the reigning world champion’s patience is wearing paper-thin. After qualifying sixth with a 1:22.070—later promoted to fifth courtesy of Kimi Antonelli’s power unit penalty—Verstappen…

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Max Verstappen finished third at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix after fighting a Red Bull that lacked both rear-end confidence and straight-line speed. The result came after Verstappen started fifth at Monza, survived a late duel with Oscar Piastri, and…

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Max Verstappen has confirmed that he "immediately picked up a problem" at the start of Qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix that limited the Red Bull driver to only sixth on the grid.

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