FIA announce penalty verdict for Red Bull F1 star after…..read more
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has officially issued a penalty to Yuki Tsunoda, the Red Bull-backed driver competing for the RB team (formerly AlphaTauri), following a pit lane rules violation during the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. The infringement took place midway through the race and was promptly flagged by the stewards for further review. Tsunoda was ultimately penalized for exceeding the speed limit in the pit lane, a breach of Formula 1’s strict sporting regulations concerning safety in controlled zones.
The incident was swiftly dealt with by race officials, reflecting the FIA’s continued emphasis on maintaining discipline and safety standards, especially in areas as sensitive as the pit lane. Tsunoda, who had been running a solid race up to that point, was summoned to the attention of the stewards shortly after completing a routine pit stop. After a brief review, it was confirmed that he had indeed been speeding, prompting the governing body to apply a five-second time penalty.
While the stewards did not publicly disclose the exact speed Tsunoda was traveling at when he committed the infraction, the regulations for the Miami Grand Prix stipulate that the maximum allowable speed within the pit lane is 80 kilometers per hour (approximately 50 miles per hour). This speed limit is rigorously enforced with electronic monitoring, and any excess, even by a narrow margin, typically results in sanctions to ensure consistency and fairness across all teams and drivers.
The penalty means Tsunoda either had to serve the five seconds during a subsequent pit stop—by remaining stationary for five extra seconds before his team could touch the car—or, if he did not pit again during the race, the time would be added to his final race classification. This could have a significant effect on his overall position depending on how close the competition was around him on the track.
Tsunoda’s penalty serves as a reminder to all teams and drivers about the importance of adhering to pit lane rules. The pit area is one of the most dangerous sections of a Formula 1 circuit due to the presence of mechanics, equipment, and other personnel. Hence, any breach of protocol, particularly speeding, is treated seriously by the FIA.
Red Bull and its junior team, RB, have not issued a formal statement in response to the decision as of now, and Tsunoda himself has yet to comment publicly. However, given the standard nature of the violation and the straightforward nature of the penalty, it is unlikely that the team will appeal the decision.
This is not the first time a driver has been penalized for pit lane speeding this season, as the FIA has consistently maintained a strict approach in enforcing safety-related rules. Tsunoda’s case adds to a growing list of infractions seen at various circuits, underlining the pressure drivers face not just on the track but in every aspect of race management.
As the Miami Grand Prix continues to deliver its usual drama and high-stakes racing, Tsunoda’s penalty could influence his final race outcome and the overall team standings, depending on how tightly packed the field ends up being at the checkered flag.
