FIA Launches Investigation Into Lando Norris After Alleged Illegal Overtake on Tsunoda at Abu Dhabi GP
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix delivered yet another dramatic twist in the ongoing championship fight as Lando Norris and Yuki Tsunoda were both placed under investigation following a tense wheel-to-wheel battle on lap 23. The incident occurred on the long back straight leading to Turn 5, a section of the Yas Marina Circuit known for slipstream battles and high-speed overtaking attempts.
Norris, who entered the race as the championship leader, found himself stuck behind Tsunoda’s RB car. The Japanese driver clearly had one mission: make life as difficult as legally possible for the McLaren driver in order to support Max Verstappen’s bid for a fifth consecutive world championship. With Verstappen needing a victory and hoping Norris would finish off the podium, every second, every battle, and every defensive move became critical.
As Norris pulled alongside Tsunoda down the straight, the RB driver began an aggressive defensive maneuver. Tsunoda’s car appeared to weave more than once across the track, forcing Norris wide and leaving him with limited space to complete the pass. Eventually, the McLaren driver committed to the overtake—but in doing so, all four wheels of his car appeared to leave the boundaries of the white line. This immediately triggered concerns from the FIA stewards, who soon announced that Norris was under investigation for leaving the track and potentially gaining an advantage.
Simultaneously, Tsunoda was accused of forcing another driver off the track. His defensive driving, described by commentators as “borderline chaotic,” seemed to push the limits of what the regulations allow. The Japanese driver’s weaving—seemingly in an attempt to stall Norris long enough for Verstappen to pull away—did not go unnoticed.
Despite the severity of the accusations, the FIA acted unusually quickly, likely understanding that the championship battle was at a delicate stage and that delaying a decision could overshadow the race itself. By lap 30, the stewards announced their verdict: Norris would face no further action. According to the FIA, the McLaren driver’s brief excursion beyond the white line did not constitute a lasting advantage and was largely a reaction to Tsunoda’s movements.
Tsunoda, however, did not escape scrutiny. He was issued a five-second time penalty for moving more than once under braking and for excessive weaving during his defense—both violations of the sporting regulations. His erratic movements were judged to have contributed to Norris being pushed off the racing line.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown publicly supported the stewards’ decision, calling it “absolutely the right call.” Sky Sports F1 commentators echoed the sentiment, stating that Norris had little choice but to take evasive action given how aggressively Tsunoda blocked him.
How Tsunoda Factored Into Verstappen’s Title Strategy
The bigger narrative behind the incident revolves around the championship equation. Verstappen entered the race needing nothing less than perfection: he had to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and hope that Lando Norris finished below third. With such a slim path to glory, the Red Bull camp made full use of Tsunoda’s presence on track.
Tsunoda, racing in what is expected to be his final Formula 1 appearance as a Red Bull–associated driver, had every reason to give it his all. The Japanese driver is set to be replaced by young talent Isack Hadjar next season, marking the end of his long journey within the Red Bull junior system. Helping Verstappen secure a historic fifth championship would have been a symbolic final contribution.
With Charles Leclerc closely trailing Norris at the time of the incident, Tsunoda’s defensive tactics were clearly intended to hold up the McLaren driver and allow Leclerc to apply pressure—or even attempt an overtake. Red Bull strategists were likely exploring every possible scenario: whether Tsunoda could delay Norris enough for Leclerc to pounce, or perhaps slow both McLarens and give Verstappen additional breathing room.
As the Grand Prix headed into its closing stages, speculation intensified about whether Red Bull might attempt another tactical use of Tsunoda—perhaps to obstruct Oscar Piastri, or to create a buffer that would complicate McLaren’s race management. With so much at stake and so little separating the title contenders, every move became part of the larger chess game unfolding at Yas Marina.
