FIA hands Yuki Tsunoda a penalty for failing to serve earlier penalty at the Brazilian Grand Prix
Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda found himself at the center of a rather unusual incident during the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix, as the Japanese driver was handed a second penalty by FIA stewards — this time, for failing to properly serve a previous one. It was a bizarre and frustrating turn of events that capped off what had already been a difficult weekend for the 25-year-old.
Tsunoda’s troubles began during qualifying at Interlagos, where both Red Bull cars suffered a shock double elimination in Q1 — their first since the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix. The result left Tsunoda starting deep in the pack, hoping to make up positions during Sunday’s race. However, things quickly unraveled once the lights went out.
Early in the race, Tsunoda was involved in a collision with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, an incident that earned him a 10-second time penalty from the FIA race stewards. The penalty required Tsunoda to enter the pit lane and remain stationary for ten seconds before his Red Bull crew could touch the car.
But when Tsunoda came in to serve that penalty, a costly mistake occurred. One of the Red Bull mechanics mistakenly began loosening the left rear wheel nut before the full ten seconds had elapsed — an action that constitutes “working on the car” under FIA regulations. Because of this breach, the stewards deemed that Tsunoda had failed to correctly serve his original penalty, resulting in an additional 10-second penalty.
The FIA released a statement clarifying the decision: “During car number 22’s pit stop, a team mechanic commenced work on the vehicle by loosening the left rear wheel nut before the time penalty had been fully served. As a result, the stewards have determined that the penalty was not properly executed, and a further 10-second time penalty is imposed.”
The additional punishment effectively ruined Tsunoda’s race. Despite his efforts to regain ground, the Japanese driver could only manage a 17th-place finish, the lowest among the classified runners. Meanwhile, his team-mate Max Verstappen once again showcased his class, fighting from a pit lane start to claim a podium finish — his seventh consecutive top-three result of the season.
The contrast between the two Red Bull drivers could not have been starker. While Verstappen continues to dominate the championship and chase yet another world title, Tsunoda’s struggles have only deepened concerns about his long-term future with the team.
Mounting pressure on Tsunoda’s Red Bull future
The Brazilian Grand Prix result did little to strengthen Tsunoda’s case for retaining his Red Bull seat in 2026. With team management expected to finalize their driver lineup by the end of the year, every performance now carries significant weight — and Tsunoda’s recent form has not been convincing.
Adding to his woes, the two drivers seen as his main rivals for the second Red Bull seat — Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson — both impressed in São Paulo.
Hadjar, driving for the sister Racing Bulls team, delivered yet another strong showing, qualifying fifth and finishing eighth. The rookie has been turning heads throughout the season with his consistent performances, and his latest points finish moves him level in the standings with Nico Hülkenberg, who finished ninth.
Lawson, meanwhile, continued his steady rise with a seventh-place finish, further extending his lead over Tsunoda in the Drivers’ Championship. The New Zealander, who has long been viewed as a strong contender for a future Red Bull promotion, is steadily strengthening his claim as the more reliable long-term option.
In contrast, Tsunoda currently sits 17th in the championship standings, a disappointing position given the machinery at his disposal and the success of his teammates within the Red Bull family. His inconsistency, combined with unforced errors and moments like the penalty mishap in Brazil, have put him under immense scrutiny from both Red Bull management and fans.
Red Bull to decide driver lineup at season’s end
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed that the team will make a final decision on their 2026 driver lineup after the conclusion of the current season. The final three races — in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi — may therefore represent Tsunoda’s last chance to prove his worth.
The Japanese driver will need to deliver standout performances and avoid costly mistakes if he hopes to retain his seat. With talented young drivers like Hadjar and Lawson pressing their claims and Verstappen’s dominance continuing, Tsunoda faces an uphill battle to remain part of Red Bull’s future plans.
As the Formula 1 circus moves on from Brazil, Tsunoda’s weekend serves as a painful reminder of how small errors — even by a mechanic — can have major consequences in a sport where precision is everything. For Tsunoda, it’s now or never to save his Red Bull career.
