'Tough one to swallow': Lawson hampered by red flags, qualifies 16th

Kiwi Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson will start at 16th on the grid for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy on Monday after two red flags hampered his qualifying session.

The first red flag was triggered by a big crash involving Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda.

Tsunoda collided with the tyre wall at turn five, the car flipping and landing upside down before righting itself again.

He appeared unhurt but was taken to the medical centre while the session was halted for repairs to the barrier.

"Oh my God! I just saw the video. Is he OK?" exclaimed Lawson, who lost the Red Bull seat to Tsunoda earlier this season, over the team radio after images were shown on the big screens.

The session then resumed after a 15-minute break but not for long when Colapinto crashed, going onto the grass and hitting the barrier head on.

The red flags prevented Lawson from setting a genuine lap time in the first session.

Lawson said not getting to complete his last lap was a shame.

"We’ve had a fast car and we put things together today. It’s a tough one to swallow, after the last few races as well."

He said the car was "fast enough" today but that they had been unlucky with the red flags.

“Sport can be like this. [I’m] working harder than ever and putting everything towards it.

“It’s just a shame to keep taking the hits. But I’ll continue to work hard, I’m sure that moment will come.”

McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who was leading the championship, took pole position while Red Bull's Max Verstappen followed in second.