Albon joins Antonelli with heavy grid drop for Italian Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli is not the only driver braced for an engine-related grid drop at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza this weekend.

Sep 04, 2026 4:14pm UTC

MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 04: Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams looks on in the garage during

Williams driver Alex Albon will start the Italian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after being hit with a 20-place penalty for power unit changes.

Albon’s Mercedes-powered car has been fitted with a fifth Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and fourth Control Electronics Unit (PU-CE) at Monza, leading to a pair of 10-place penalties.

As per the regulations, the first time the allocation of any power unit element is exceeded, a 10-place grid penalty will be applied, with the second time this occurs (and so on) resulting in a five-place grid drop – all penalties at the same event applying in a cumulative manner.

If a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places, they will be required to start the race at the back of the field regardless.

MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 04: Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Williams FW48 Mercedes on

Albon will have plenty of work to do from the back of the Monza grid

Albon joins Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli in serving a grid penalty this weekend, with the Italian taking on a fifth ICE, fourth PU-CE and fourth Energy Store (ES), leading to a notional 30-place drop.

Providing there are no more penalties handed out ahead of Sunday’s race, it means Albon and Antonelli will share the back row of the grid.