Yuki Tsunoda must start from last place in Canada: The Japanese driver shows no understanding for a grid penalty and strongly criticizes the stewards
Yuki Tsunoda must start the Canadian Grand Prix from last place on the grid. The reason for this is a ten-place grid penalty imposed by the stewards after the third free practice session. The accusation: Tsunoda had overtaken Oscar Piastri’s heavily damaged McLaren on the back straight under red flags – a clear violation of Article 2.5.4.1 b) of the International Sporting Code.
The FIA concluded that Piastri did not pose an immediate danger despite his reduced speed (86 km/h). Tsunoda, on the other hand, overtook at 171 km/h. A cautious reaction, as the Japanese driver later explained – but not justified in the view of the race stewards. Unlike a similar incident involving Gabriel Bortoleto, in which no penalty was imposed, Tsunoda’s case was not considered an “unavoidable situation.”
Tsunoda: Should I drive behind a broken car?
After qualifying, in which Tsunoda finished eleventh, he was at a loss as to why the decision had been made. “I don’t know what they want from me,” he said in an interview. He said he feared a dangerous situation as he approached the damaged McLaren: “The tire looked like it was about to fly off. I was afraid that a piece of debris would hit me.”
Tsunoda explains that he made sure there were no other cars nearby before overtaking and moved to the right at “half racing speed.” The goal: keep your distance – don’t attack. He cannot understand why this resulted in a grid penalty and two penalty points: “Ten places – that’s completely excessive in my opinion.”
Strong qualifying – penalty ruins starting position
The Japanese driver had performed well in Canada so far. After a difficult third practice session, he finished eleventh in qualifying – one of his best results in qualifying for Red Bull this season.
However, the penalty means he now drops back to 20th on the grid. Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko described the sanction to ServusTV as “bitter” – especially as it had been one of Tsunoda’s strongest weekends so far. At least there is hope for the race in Canada, which has been a source of chaos and comebacks in the past. Tsunoda remains combative: “It is what it is. Now it’s all about making up positions.”
