Lawson hit with immediate US GP setback at F1 return

Liam Lawson will start the United States Grand Prix from the back of the grid, following a complete power unit change. 

The Red Bull junior driver has replaced Daniel Ricciardo for the remaining F1 races this season at RB, starting this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas. 

Only one of the new power unit components – the exhaust system – is within its legal pool.

Lawson's new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store and control electronics are all beyond each parts pool. The grid penalty will be for Sunday's race rather than for the sprint. 

Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko had revealed ahead of this weekend that a new engine would be fitted, with the FIA having since confirmed this. 

The stewards' report read: "The use of each additional element in this case carries a 10 grid place penalty (ref Article 28.3) in this case there is an accumulation of 60 places. 

"Article 42.3 d) of the FIA F1 Sporting Regulations provides that a driver which has accrued more than 15 cumulative grid position penalties must start behind any other classified driver."

In his first session since returning to the cockpit, Lawson finished P13 in practice and was just one-tenth of a second slower than Yuki Tsunoda. 

Lawson is believed to have the remaining six races this season to prove why he deserves a full-time seat next year, with the question being whether it will be a seat at RB or at Red Bull to replace Sergio Perez.