FIA Hits Red Bull’s star with Additional Penalty following…read more
Red Bull Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda has been handed an additional penalty by the FIA following an incident during the final practice session (FP3) at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. The issue arose after Oscar Piastri crashed his McLaren into the infamous Wall of Champions, scattering debris across the track and triggering a red flag.
As Piastri continued slowly around the circuit with a damaged car, Tsunoda approached him on track. Despite the red flag being in effect—which requires all drivers to reduce speed and avoid overtaking—Tsunoda passed Piastri. The Japanese driver defended his move to the stewards, claiming he overtook the Australian to steer clear of any potential loose debris coming from the compromised McLaren.
However, the stewards did not accept Tsunoda’s reasoning. They ruled that he had violated Appendix H, Article 2.5.4.1 b) of the International Sporting Code, which clearly prohibits overtaking under red flag conditions unless explicitly instructed. As a result, Tsunoda was penalized with a 10-place grid drop for Sunday’s race.
This penalty compounds a tough weekend for Tsunoda, who had already struggled during Saturday’s qualifying session. He was eliminated in Q2 and recorded only the 11th fastest time, meaning he will now start the Canadian Grand Prix from the very back of the grid.
In addition to the grid penalty, the FIA announced that Tsunoda has received two penalty points on his Super Licence. This brings his current total to two points within a 12-month rolling period. While he remains well short of the 12-point threshold that would trigger a one-race ban, it’s still a cautionary step for the young driver to keep in mind as the season progresses.
Interestingly, Tsunoda’s Red Bull Racing teammate, Max Verstappen, finds himself in a much more precarious position. The reigning world champion is currently sitting on 11 penalty points—just one shy of receiving an automatic race ban. Verstappen was hit with three penalty points following a collision with George Russell’s Mercedes during the Spanish Grand Prix.
The Canadian Grand Prix will see Verstappen and Russell line up on the front row, with Russell on pole position after delivering a remarkable lap in Q3. The two title contenders are expected to engage in a fierce on-track battle, and tensions may be high given their recent clash.
After qualifying, Russell took a subtle dig at Verstappen regarding his penalty situation. Speaking to the media, the British driver said, “I’ve got a few more points on my licence to play with than Verstappen. Let’s see,” hinting at the Dutchman’s vulnerable position.
As the race approaches, all eyes will be on the front row showdown between Russell and Verstappen, while Tsunoda faces the uphill challenge of battling through the field from the very back. The penalties have added an extra layer of drama to what is shaping up to be a thrilling Canadian Grand Prix.
