Tsunoda risks losing a point for lining up in the wrong grid position at Italian GP

Summary

Multiple sources report that Audi has lodged an intention to appeal the FIA stewards' decision not to penalise Yuki Tsunoda following his start error at the Italian Grand Prix. The controversy centers on Tsunoda allegedly causing an extra formation lap and an issue at the restart, which Audi disputes. Despite the appeal, Tsunoda retains his 10th place finish after the post-race review. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny over race start procedures and team responses in F1.

The Full Story

Yuki Tsunoda’s tenth-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix remains intact despite a post-race investigation into his conduct during the race restart. The Racing Bulls driver was summoned by the FIA stewards for a potential infringement related to his grid positioning at the restart following a lengthy red flag period caused by Charles Leclerc’s crash. However, after reviewing the circumstances, the stewards decided not to impose any penalty, allowing Tsunoda to keep the single championship point he earned at Monza.

The controversy centered on Tsunoda’s approach to the grid for the restart. According to multiple reports, including detailed coverage from Crash.net and RaceFans, Tsunoda initially headed toward the left side of the grid but then corrected his trajectory to position his car correctly within his assigned grid box. The stewards confirmed this by analyzing video footage from multiple camera angles. Despite this, the race director felt uneasy about the car’s position and opted to call for an additional formation lap before the race officially resumed. This decision was made out of caution rather than a direct consequence of Tsunoda’s actions.

RaceFans highlighted that ordinarily, a driver who causes an extra formation lap must start from the pit lane as a penalty. In this case, Tsunoda did not start from the pit lane, but the stewards ruled that he was not the cause of the extra formation lap. The race director’s testimony supported this view, emphasizing that the decision to add the formation lap was his own, based on the situation as he saw it on the grid. The Racing Bulls team also argued that Tsunoda’s car was never in a “false start” position under Article B5.1.1c of the Formula 1 regulations, as no part of the front tires crossed the grid box lines. They further noted that no other driver was impeded by Tsunoda’s positioning, and at no point was the team informed by race control that Tsunoda was responsible for the extra formation lap.

Crash.net’s analysis echoed these points, explaining that the stewards were persuaded by the team’s evidence and the race director’s account. The stewards concluded that the extra formation lap was a precautionary measure rather than a penalty triggered by Tsunoda’s actions. Motorsport.com also confirmed that Tsunoda was cleared of wrongdoing after the investigation, allowing him to retain his points finish. This outcome was significant for Tsunoda, who secured his first point since returning to Formula 1 as a replacement driver for Liam Lawson.

Despite the stewards’ decision, Audi has informed the FIA of their intention to appeal against the ruling, as reported by RaceFans. Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto finished just behind Tsunoda in 11th place, and the appeal suggests they believe the stewards’ interpretation of the regulations and the race director’s role in the restart was flawed. The appeal highlights a critical regulatory nuance: Article B5.9.4 specifies that if a driver causes an extra formation lap and then starts it, they must enter the pit lane at the end of that lap and begin the race from there. The penalty applies only if the driver fails to comply with this procedure, not simply for causing the extra formation lap. This distinction was central to the stewards’ decision to clear Tsunoda.

The incident underscores the complexities of race restarts under red flag conditions and the discretionary power of the race director. The decision to add an extra formation lap is unusual and can have significant implications for drivers’ starting positions and race strategies. Tsunoda’s case illustrates how regulatory interpretations and the race director’s judgment can intersect, sometimes leading to contentious outcomes. For Tsunoda and Racing Bulls, retaining the point is a boost, but the ongoing appeal means the final resolution remains pending.

Looking ahead, the FIA’s handling of this appeal will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how similar restart incidents are adjudicated in the future. The outcome may also influence how teams approach grid positioning during restarts and how strictly the regulations are enforced regarding formation laps and pit lane starts. For Tsunoda, the situation remains delicate, with his race result hanging in the balance until the appeal is resolved.