Formula One driver handed one of the biggest penalties ever just hours before Canadian Grand Prix

A Formula One star has been handed a breathtaking penalty just hours before the lights go out for the Canadian Grand Prix.

After a thrilling qualifying session saw Mercedes driver George Russell claim pole position ahead of fierce rival Max Verstappen, the Canadian Grand Prix is set to get underway at 7pm on Sunday.

Despite going into the race as one of the favourites to win the race, McLaren star Lando Norris will start in seventh after a poor performance in the final part of qualifying, with teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri starting in third.

However, a statement from the FIA has confirmed that Norris won't be the driver who is the most disappointed on Sunday evening, as a top driver has been handed one of the harshest penalties in the history of the sport.

(Image: Getty)

After an already disappointing qualifying session meant that he would start the race in 19th, Racing Balls driver Liam Lawson has been told he will now start at the back of the grid after receiving a huge penalty.

After Racing Bulls decided to make five changes to the New Zealander's engine ahead of the race under parc ferme conditions, the FIA announced that they had handed him a 50 place grid penalty and that he would start from the pit lane.

Confirming the decision in an official statement, the FIA wrote: "All Power Unit elements were replaced without the approval of the FIA Technical Delegate during Parc Ferme.

"The use of each additional element in this case carries a 10 grid place penalty therefore there is an accumulation of 50 places.

"Article 42.3 d) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations provides that a driver which has accrued more than 15 cumulative grid position penalties must start from the back of the grid.

Liam Lawson will start the Canadian Grand Prix from the pit lane. (Image: Getty)

"Power Unit elements were changed without the permission of the FIA Technical Delegate. Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team changed the setup of the suspension of Car 30 under Parc Ferme, this not being in accordance with Article 40.9 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.

"Therefore Car 30 is required to start the Race from pit lane."

The news comes as yet another blow for Lawson in a season that saw him start off as a Red Bull driver, before being demoted to Racing Bulls after just two races, replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.

He is currently 17th in the driver standings having claimed four points this season.