Breaking news: FIA Issues Reprimand to Yuki Tsunoda Following Bahrain….readmore
The FIA has confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda has received his first official reprimand of the 2025 Formula One season after an incident during the first free practice session (FP1) at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver was called before the stewards after being found to have overtaken in the pit lane, a clear breach of safety regulations.
Tsunoda, who recently made the switch to Red Bull from sister team RB (formerly AlphaTauri), was involved in the incident during Friday’s FP1 session. The maneuver occurred in the pit lane, where overtaking is strictly prohibited due to the confined space and high safety risks involved. Stewards investigated the situation promptly and decided to issue a reprimand, noting the breach but opting not to impose further penalties given the circumstances.
The practice session was already a challenging one for Tsunoda. He found himself outpaced on the timing sheets by Liam Lawson, the driver he replaced just last weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix. Tsunoda’s return to the senior Red Bull team came earlier than expected in the season, with the team opting to swap him in for Lawson after just two rounds in an effort to strengthen their lineup.
However, the transition did not get off to an ideal start. Observers noted that Tsunoda appeared unsettled, perhaps still adjusting to the pressure and expectations that come with driving for a top-tier team like Red Bull. At one point during the session, some even joked that the Japanese driver seemed to forget he was no longer driving for RB, highlighting the growing pains of his sudden move.
Red Bull has yet to comment publicly on the reprimand, though the incident is not expected to have lasting repercussions. Reprimands are common in Formula One, especially early in the season, and serve as formal warnings rather than points-related penalties unless accumulated in large numbers.
Nonetheless, Tsunoda will be keen to prove himself in the upcoming races, especially as speculation continues over Red Bull’s long-term driver strategy. With fierce competition for race seats and high expectations from the team, every session counts for the young driver. The Bahrain GP will now be a critical opportunity for him to refocus and deliver a performance worthy of his promotion.
