FIA Launches Investigation After Lando Norris Impeding Scare in Abu Dhabi FP3
The tension surrounding the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix intensified on Saturday after the FIA confirmed it had opened an investigation into a frightening incident involving McLaren’s Lando Norris during the final practice session. The episode unfolded in FP3 when Norris, who is deep in the heart of a heated title fight, encountered a dangerously slow-moving Yuki Tsunoda obstructing the racing line.
The moment occurred as Norris approached Turn 11 in the iconic hotel section of the Yas Marina Circuit. He was on a fast lap, pushing to fine-tune his McLaren ahead of qualifying, when he suddenly came across Tsunoda’s Red Bull positioned awkwardly right on the apex. The Japanese driver was moving slowly, seemingly unaware of Norris arriving at full speed. The McLaren star was forced to jink out of the way, narrowly avoiding what easily could have been a race-ruining crash.
Team radio immediately captured Norris’ frustration as he questioned what Tsunoda was doing on the racing line during such a high-speed phase of the lap. The FIA stewards quickly noted the incident and summoned both drivers to explain what happened, even though it took place in a non-competitive session. Tsunoda, to his credit, apologised promptly once he realised how dangerous the situation had been.
FIA’s Verdict: Warning for Tsunoda, €10,000 Fine for Red Bull
Although impeding incidents typically attract grid penalties when they occur during qualifying, FP3 violations fall under a different category. As expected, the stewards focused more on responsibility rather than sporting punishment. After reviewing footage, team data, and driver statements, the FIA determined that Tsunoda failed to move off the line appropriately and had indeed impeded Norris.
However, because it occurred in practice, the outcome was less severe. Tsunoda received an official warning, while Red Bull were handed a €10,000 fine for the oversight. The incident was classified as serious enough to warrant disciplinary action, but not impactful enough to alter the grid order for qualifying.
This decision means Norris will move into qualifying—and most importantly, Sunday’s title decider—without any external disadvantages caused by the near-collision.
Could Tsunoda Influence the Title Showdown?
Beyond the immediate reprimand, the situation raised another strategic subplot: Tsunoda’s potential involvement in the championship decider. With this being Red Bull’s last opportunity to influence the title outcome for Max Verstappen, Tsunoda could play a pivotal role depending on where he qualifies.
Verstappen enters the final race 12 points behind championship leader Lando Norris. McLaren also have Oscar Piastri in the mix, trailing Norris by 16 points, effectively giving them two drivers fighting a single Red Bull opponent at the front of the field. Throughout the season, this numerical advantage has been a recurring challenge for Verstappen, who has often found himself isolated against the twin McLaren attack.
This is where Tsunoda comes in. If the Japanese driver manages to qualify within the top five or even close to the McLarens, he could create strategic complications for the orange cars. His presence alone could force McLaren into tricky pit window decisions or give Verstappen crucial buffer zones on track.
For Norris, who only needs a podium finish to secure his first world championship—even if Verstappen wins—any extra obstacle could dramatically increase the pressure. The last thing he wants is to line up behind Tsunoda on race day, knowing the Red Bull driver will not hesitate to defend fiercely for the sake of his team-mate’s title aspirations.
Tsunoda’s Final Race Before Red Bull Exit
Interestingly, this potential role comes during Tsunoda’s farewell outing as a full-time Red Bull driver. The team recently confirmed that he will vacate his seat after the 2025 season and transition into a reserve driver role. His replacement, Racing Bulls’ rising star Isack Hadjar, is set to be promoted to partner Verstappen starting in 2026.
This places Tsunoda in a unique position: he has nothing to lose, yet everything to contribute in terms of loyalty to the team. Red Bull will undoubtedly hope he can be a disruptive force in the McLaren strategy machine—within the bounds of fair racing, of course.
Conclusion
The FP3 scare added an unexpected layer of drama to an already intense Abu Dhabi weekend. While Tsunoda avoided a grid penalty, the visual of Norris narrowly avoiding a high-speed collision served as a stark reminder of how fine the margins are in Formula 1. With the championship on the line and every strategic factor magnified, all eyes now turn to qualifying—and the question of whether Tsunoda will remain a mere footnote or become a major influence in one of the most important races of the season.
