Daily News 19

Tag: Formula 1

  • Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc Monza Clash: What Doesn’t Make Sense

    Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc Monza Clash: What Doesn’t Make Sense

    Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton’s on-track clash and post-race tension at Monza follows a familiar pattern in Formula 1 history, yet the underlying motive remains unusually opaque. While teammate rivalries are a staple of the sport, the Ferrari duo’s current friction lacks the clear championship stakes that defined the sport’s most famous feuds.

    Historical Context: When Rivals Fight for the Title

    The great teammate battles — Ayrton Senna versus Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell versus Nelson Piquet, Mark Webber versus Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg versus Hamilton — all ignited when both drivers had machinery capable of winning the world championship. In those eras, the title depended almost entirely on beating the person across the garage.

    Consider the most recent parallel. In Hamilton’s first Mercedes season (2013), the W04 yielded one win for him and two for Rosberg. The car was not a title contender, and their relationship remained cordial. Everything shifted in 2014 when Mercedes’ hybrid power unit arrived; suddenly the ultimate prize was at stake, and the pair transitioned from sharing pizza in Monaco to an intense rivalry extending well beyond the circuit.

    No Championship, No Contracts, No Financial Pressure

    With Leclerc and Hamilton, the incentives are missing. Ferrari’s public ambition notwithstanding, the 2025 season’s results and standings make a credible world-title challenge difficult to argue. Neither driver is fighting for a 2027 seat — both have long-term deals secured — and both command salaries that render a “fighting over crumbs” narrative, joked about in the Monza paddock, entirely wide of the mark.

    Crucially, both are employed by Ferrari to deliver for Ferrari. As established stars, they are expected to prioritize the team’s interests, especially when the car cannot realistically contest a championship.

    Shifting Dynamics: From Frustration to Form

    Hamilton spent much of 2025 absorbing frustration while Leclerc consistently outperformed him. Having rediscovered his pace, the seven-time champion now appears keen to make a statement — to the paddock and to his teammate. Conversely, Leclerc’s stock rose sharply last year on the back of that superiority; twelve months later, Hamilton leads comfortably in the championship table, altering the internal pecking order.

    This need to prove oneself against a teammate typically drives midfield battles, where a single podium can define a season and job security is fragile. For two veterans with secured futures, beating each other at all costs should be a lower priority.

    Vasseur’s Next Move

    The onus now falls on team principal Frédéric Vasseur. He met both drivers in his Monza office before the race, but a follow-up discussion appears necessary. The principle is straightforward: team interests must supersede individual ambitions, particularly when the prize is not a world championship.

    A rivalry can be an asset when it propels a team toward success. When no title is at stake and the friction begins to undermine collective performance, it becomes just another problem — and Ferrari already carries enough of those.

  • Why Toto Wolff Already Knew Kimi Antonelli “Would Walk on Water” at F1 Italian GP

    Why Toto Wolff Already Knew Kimi Antonelli “Would Walk on Water” at F1 Italian GP

    Just as Pierre Gasly delivered AlphaTauri a shock victory at Monza six years ago, 6 September 2026 became another historic date at the Temple of Speed. Home favorite Kimi Antonelli ignited the Italian tifosi with a stunning comeback drive, turning a weekend that began with tears after Charles Leclerc’s heavy Parabolica crash into pure euphoria.

    From 19th on the Grid to Victory Lane

    Antonelli’s triumph appeared impossible on paper. A power-unit change relegated him to 19th on the starting grid, a strategic move designed to remove pressure rather than chase glory. Yet the championship leader had already carved his way up to 12th by the time a red flag neutralized the race. After the restart, he sliced through the field with surgical precision, producing what he later described as the best Formula 1 victory of his young career.

    Wolff’s Premonition: “He’s Going to Walk on Water Here”

    Fernando Alonso’s podium prediction for Antonelli seemed optimistic, but Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff sensed something extraordinary brewing. He revealed the conviction he felt even before lights out:

    “I thought one of our two drivers was going to win. Either George, because he was on pole [Russell started second behind Gasly in the race], or Kimi, because he’s going to walk on water here in Monza. And I felt that yesterday also.”

    Wolff explained that the feeling crystallized after qualifying, rooted in the driver’s demeanor and a conversation with Antonelli’s father:

    “It’s been a while that I’ve seen driver’s energy levels, attitude, mindset, or behavioural patterns, and I knew that that was his mission today, to win the race.
    “I chatted with his father yesterday and the father also saw that coming.
    “These are those moments where you can see how a weekend is panning out through the sessions, feeling that a special moment could come. But it’s still a mechanical sport, so it can change quickly.”

    A Victory for the History Books

    Only John Watson’s 1983 Long Beach win from 22nd on the grid surpasses Antonelli’s climb from 19th. Asked where this ranks among his most memorable F1 victories, Wolff answered with characteristic pragmatism:

    “This sounds very unromantic now, but I forget about wins,” he said. “There’s a few that I remember. Maybe my first one, but it isn’t as glamorous as you would like. It’s Pastor Maldonado in Barcelona. Or Nico Rosberg with Mercedes-Benz, the first one in Monaco. And Lewis Hamilton winning in Singapore.
    “So there’s a few of these big ones. And certainly this is one that I will remember.”

    Full Circle: From FP1 Crash to “Biggest Glory”

    Beyond the on-track heroics, Wolff highlighted the profound narrative arc. Two years earlier, Antonelli endured a heavy crash during his Formula 1 practice debut at Monza in FP1 — a moment Wolff called “probably the toughest moment in his career for himself and his family.”

    “It’s how the circle closed,” he said. “Two years ago in FP1, it was probably the toughest moment in his career for himself and his family. A moment where everyone doubted, including himself.
    “And then two years later, it’s the biggest glory, the biggest moment of his career that’s probably going to be one of his biggest moments overall in the future.
    “Even if he wins another 200 grand prix, that one will always remain special. And I think that’s the perspective under which I want to see it.”

    Antonelli’s Monza masterclass stands as a testament to resilience, timing, and the unique magic of the Italian Grand Prix — a victory that transcends statistics and etches itself into Formula 1 folklore.

  • Toto Wolff Uneasy After Mercedes Drivers Clash at Monza: “That could have ended in disaster”

    Toto Wolff Uneasy After Mercedes Drivers Clash at Monza: “That could have ended in disaster”

    Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admitted the on-track battle between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at the Italian Grand Prix “could have ended in disaster” and left the team looking “like idiots” after the pair traded the lead repeatedly at Monza.

    Antonelli’s Charge from 19th Sets Up Teammate Duel

    Starting 19th on the grid due to a power-unit penalty, Antonelli carved through the field to reach second place within 16 laps. A 12-lap wheel-to-wheel fight with Russell followed, with the Silver Arrows swapping the race lead several times before a virtual safety car (VSC) period allowed Antonelli to pit. He rejoined 14 seconds behind his teammate but, on fresher tyres, closed the gap rapidly and launched a decisive attack with six laps remaining.

    Late-Race Scare at Turn 2

    The climax arrived on lap 49 when Russell ran wide at Turn 2 while defending, and Antonelli slid into the gravel trap on the marbles. Both cars recovered to secure a Mercedes 1-2 — Antonelli leading Russell by four seconds, with Max Verstappen third, 15 seconds adrift — but the moment left Wolff visibly tense.

    Wolff: “We Would Have Looked Like Idiots”

    Speaking after the race, Wolff revealed he had his finger on the radio button to intervene but held back.

    “We’re trying to anticipate possible scenarios, and the two of them have been great in understanding and embracing the team component – which is difficult for a race driver that tries to win a grand prix, especially for Kimi in Monza, especially for George, who needs to keep scoring points in order to stay in the Toto Wolff uneasy as Mercedes drivers fought at Monza: “That could have ended in disaster” race,” the Austrian pondered. “But they’ve always been clean.”

    “At times, we were thinking, ‘It’s clean, but it’s a bit close’. And I had a finger on the button to Marcus, to Bono, to Kimi, to George, but I didn’t push it.”

    “The last incident was unfortunate. George tried to not cut the corner, and Kimi then obviously on the marbles, going straight, and that could have ended up in a disaster when it comes to the race result. We would have looked like idiots.”

    “We will be talking about that situation as another building block of how we want to race in the future. But I think it was worth to show the racing spirit in the team and have them go at each other.”

    Russell Ruues Lost Duel After VSC Pitstop

    Russell acknowledged parallels to the drawn-out Mercedes fight at the Canadian Grand Prix but expressed frustration that the VSC timing ended their extended battle.

    “I would have loved to have continued on the same strategy because I felt in a good position in that battle,” he said. “I sort of knew exactly what I needed to do with the energy management to defend, but also when to attack and make those moves, and I put a lot of preparation into this race in that regard.

    “Then, of course, when the VSC came out, it kind of came out at that perfect point for the drivers to pull the trigger and take the pitstop. And, yeah, here we are.”

    Championship Implications

    With his fifth consecutive winless weekend, Russell now trails Antonelli by 66 points in the drivers’ standings, underscoring the shifting dynamic within the Mercedes garage as the Italian rookie announces himself as a genuine title contender.

  • Max Verstappen’s “wholesome” Monza moment with Kimi Antonelli’s father goes viral, praised as a “Class act”

    Max Verstappen’s “wholesome” Monza moment with Kimi Antonelli’s father goes viral, praised as a “Class act”

    A heartwarming post-race moment between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Marco Antonelli, father of race winner Kimi Antonelli, has captured widespread attention across social media platforms following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

    Verstappen’s Classy Gesture Goes Viral

    Footage from the Monza paddock showed the four-time world champion approaching Antonelli Sr. shortly after his son claimed a remarkable maiden home Grand Prix victory from 19th on the grid. Verstappen made a point of embracing the Italian engineer before Kimi Antonelli could reach his father to celebrate the historic win.

    The spontaneous display of sportsmanship quickly circulated online, drawing praise from fans and observers alike for its authenticity and respect.

    Fan Reactions Highlight Sportsmanship

    Social media platforms, particularly Reddit, buzzed with commentary applauding Verstappen’s conduct. The reactions underscored a broader appreciation for the driver’s character beyond his on-track prowess.

    “Very sweet, very wholesome,” one fan commented on Reddit, while another wrote: “Max is and always will be a class act.”

    “Max is really the bigger person… I’d still be salty that Kimi lost me a shot at 5x WDC last season lol,” another fan posted.

    “I think he’s lowkey just happy Antonelli is wiping the floor with Russell and denying Russell the best chance he’s had at a championship.”

    Further comments reinforced the sentiment:

    “Class move, congratulating the dad on his son winning the Italian GP as well!”

    “Max isn’t a generational but a historical champion. Both on the track and as a person.”

    Antonelli Dominates Home Soil

    The 20-year-old Mercedes driver secured the top spot on the iconic Monza podium, leading a team 1-2 finish ahead of teammate George Russell in second place. Verstappen completed the podium in third.

    During the post-race press conference, an emotional Antonelli reflected on the magnitude of the achievement.

    “I think this is the most special podium of the season,” Antonelli explained during the press conference. “To see all the fans on the straight, it’s just incredible. And then being at home, it adds that little bit extra. And super, super happy with that.”

    Championship Standings Shift

    Antonelli’s commanding victory at Monza has significantly extended his lead in the drivers’ championship standings. He now holds a 66-point advantage over Russell, who sits in second position. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton follows in third place, trailing Antonelli by 76 points and Russell by 10 points.

    The result marks a pivotal moment in the title race, with Antonelli establishing himself as the clear favorite heading into the season’s closing rounds.

  • Chequered Flag: Is Kimi Antonelli a Generational Talent?

    Chequered Flag: Is Kimi Antonelli a Generational Talent?

    Clancy and Lynn Debate Antonelli’s Generational Status After Historic Monza Victory

    F1 journalist Rebecca Clancy and British racing driver Alex Lynn joined the latest episode of The Chequered Flag Podcast to discuss whether Mercedes prodigy Kimi Antonelli qualifies as a generational talent, following his remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix.

    Historic Home Win for Italian Rookie

    Antonelli made history at Monza by becoming the first Italian driver to win on home soil since Ludovico Scarfiotti’s triumph in 1966. The Mercedes junior achieved the feat from 19th on the grid, delivering one of the most stunning comeback drives in recent Formula 1 memory.

    Podcast Analysis: Talent Assessment Underway

    The debate on The Chequered Flag Podcast centers on whether the 18-year-old’s performances — particularly his race craft, tyre management, and composure under pressure — signal the arrival of a once-in-a-generation driver, or whether it remains too early in his rookie campaign to apply such a label.

    Read more: Antonelli takes stunning Monza win from 19th on grid

    Watch more: The Chequered Flag Podcast on BBC iPlayer

  • Audi Lodges Intention to Appeal Yuki Tsunoda’s Italian GP Verdict

    Audi Lodges Intention to Appeal Yuki Tsunoda’s Italian GP Verdict

    Audi has formally notified the FIA of its intention to appeal the stewards’ decision not to penalize Yuki Tsunoda following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The move centers on the application of Article B5.9.4 of the 2026 Formula 1 Sporting Regulations regarding extra formation lap procedures.

    Tsunoda’s Grid Position Triggers Extra Formation Lap

    The incident occurred during a Lap 6 restart. Amid confusion over the correct grid alignment, Tsunoda stopped in his designated 14th position but at an angle toward the inside wall. Race Director Rui Marques stated he was “not comfortable” with the Racing Bulls driver’s positioning and ordered an extra formation lap.

    Regulatory Dispute: Article B5.9.4

    The specific regulation at the heart of the protest states:

    “any driver who caused an extra formation lap, and is then able to start the, or any subsequent, extra formation lap must enter the Pit Lane at the end of the lap and must start … from the end of the Pit Lane.”

    Had this penalty been applied, Tsunoda would have been required to start from the pit lane and likely received a mandatory stop-and-go penalty for non-compliance. Instead, the Japanese driver escaped sanction and finished 10th, scoring the final championship point.

    Stewards’ Verdict: No Further Action

    The FIA stewards ruled that Tsunoda did not technically cause the extra formation lap. Their determination highlighted that the Race Director acted out of an abundance of caution, Tsunoda remained within his grid slot, and no other competitors were impacted. Crucially, Race Control did not inform Racing Bulls that their driver was deemed the cause, meaning the team had no basis to instruct Tsunoda to enter the pit lane.

    The stewards’ written decision explained:

    “The extra formation lap resulted from the Race Director’s assessment of the situation, rather than being directly caused by the driver of Car 22.
    “Further, Article B5.9.4 goes on to specify that if a driver who causes the extra formation lap and is then able to start the extra formation lap, he must enter the Pit Lane at the end of the lap and start from the Pit Lane. It is only then, if the driver fails to do this, that the mandatory penalty of a Stop and Go penalty is imposed.
    “In other words, the penalty is for failing to come into the Pit Lane and start from there. The penalty is not for causing the extra formation lap, if indeed, he caused the extra formation lap in the first place.
    “A critical issue emerges here, in that in order to comply with the requirement to enter and start from the Pit Lane, a driver would need to know that he was the cause of the extra formation lap.”

    The stewards added:

    “The team, based on the fact that the car was positioned within its starting grid box in compliance with the regulations, had, in our determination, no reason to instruct its driver to enter and start from the Pit Lane.
    “Accordingly, irrespective of whether or not the driver directly caused the extra formation lap, the team and driver were unaware that they were being considered as the cause, therefore we determine that we are unable to impose a Stop and Go penalty in this case, and decide to take no further action.”

    Audi’s Appeal Notification and Championship Implications

    The non-penalty directly affects Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto, who crossed the finish line in 11th place. A penalty for Tsunoda would have promoted Bortoleto into the points-paying 10th position.

    Audi released the following statement confirming the appeal notification:

    “Following the Italian Grand Prix, we raised a concern regarding the application of Article B5.9.4, which requires a driver who causes an extra formation lap to enter the pit lane and resume the race from there,” Audi said in a statement. “The Stewards issued a decision of No Further Action, and we have notified our intention to appeal. As the matter is now subject to the FIA appeal process, we will not comment further at this stage.”

    Appeal Process Timeline

    Under Article 15.4 of the FIA International Sporting Code, competitors have one hour after the stewards’ decision to notify an intention to appeal. This notification does not guarantee a full appeal will follow; it grants Audi a 96-hour window to further analyze the case and decide whether to proceed with a formal appeal hearing.

  • Winners and Losers from F1’s Memorable Italian Grand Prix

    Winners and Losers from F1’s Memorable Italian Grand Prix

    Antonelli Triumphs at Monza as Ferrari Stumbles in Front of Record Crowd

    Whether you embrace Formula 1’s 2026 regulations and the resulting yo-yo racing dynamic or not, the Italian Grand Prix delivered no shortage of talking points. In a stunning reversal of expectations, championship favorite Kimi Antonelli produced a comeback drive for the ages — earning the adulation of the Ferrari tifosi — while the Scuderia itself faltered badly on home soil.

    Antonelli Claims Historic Monza Victory

    Sunday unfolded as a day of conflicting emotions for the passionate Italian supporters. They arrived in record numbers, setting a new attendance benchmark at the Temple of Speed to cheer on Ferrari, only to witness their national team deliver a deeply disappointing performance.

    Any tears shed after Charles Leclerc’s violent accident on lap 2 quickly turned to joy and pride when Antonelli secured a maiden Italian Grand Prix victory — the first by an Italian driver at the country’s home race since 1966. Post-race broadcasts captured a telling image: scarlet-clad Ferrari fans holding an Italian flag adorned with Antonelli’s name, signaling a swift pivot from revering their national institution to celebrating a new homegrown hero.

    Antonelli’s masterclass earned him the ultimate reward — a hero’s welcome on Monza’s historic home straight as he stood atop the most glorious podium in Formula 1. In a twist on the Michael Schumacher era, the German and Italian national anthems played in reverse order. With the Monza box checked, the world championship surely beckons next.

    Russell Concedes Psychological Blow

    Antonelli’s comeback was as spectacular for him as it was humbling for George Russell, who effectively waved the white flag when championship odds were mentioned after the race. Russell drove a near-flawless weekend; were it not for Max Verstappen’s qualifying antics, the Mercedes driver would have started from pole position. The stark reality, however, is that he appears to have met his match in his younger teammate — and merely matching Antonelli may no longer suffice.

    “Kimi is deserving to be in control of it,” Russell said. “I’m not even thinking about a fight or a comeback or anything. It’s going to be exceptionally challenging to overcome that gap, so I’m just sort of accepting that is what it is.”

    Much can change across the remaining ten races, but if Antonelli wasn’t already in cruise control, Monza delivered a decisive psychological hammer blow.

    Verstappen Salvages Podium Against Odds

    Leave it to Max Verstappen to rescue a podium from a race he had little right to contend, battling with one hand tied behind his back against the superior energy deployment of the Mercedes-powered cars. How Verstappen sustained a fight with Russell for as long as he did remains something of a mystery.

    Securing third place — ahead of both McLarens and despite clear issues with the RB22’s rear axle — represented the best possible damage limitation. For a driver who has openly criticized the battery-led yo-yo racing format, a part of him must have relented the on-track jousting.

    Ferrari’s Home Race Nightmare

    Ferrari arrived at its home round armed with a fresh aerodynamic package designed for Monza’s high-speed demands, plus a second permitted power unit upgrade believed to have reduced its horsepower deficit by 30–40%. Friday practice offered encouragement, but when the dials were turned to maximum, the gains proved insufficient — though a two-tenths qualifying gap on a power-hungry circuit suggested the progress was genuine.

    For a team targeting improved race-weekend execution, the result was another bruising episode with Leclerc at the center. After being challenged by teammate Lewis Hamilton on the inside of Turn 1 at the start — which became the outside for Turn 2 — Leclerc drifted toward the exit, forcing Hamilton off track. Leclerc insisted he tried to “make Turn 2 as tight as I possibly could,” yet not tightly enough to leave Hamilton racing room, dropping the Briton to ninth. Whether a simple racing incident or evidence of Leclerc racing his teammate harder than anyone else remains a question only he can answer. His afternoon ended abruptly moments later when he lost control at Parabolica and slammed hard into the barriers on lap 2.

    Ferrari was never likely to defeat the Mercedes-powered cars on home turf — Hamilton himself was powerless to match the frontrunners — but the tifosi surely expected better than a sixth-place finish and a DNF.

    Alpine Leads Midfield Despite Gasly’s Fade

    Following a sensational maiden pole on Saturday, Pierre Gasly could not maintain the pace on Sunday despite a spirited defense against Russell at the start. Dropping from first to seventh appears underwhelming in isolation, yet Alpine topped the midfield — a result the team would have gladly accepted pre-weekend.

    Franco Colapinto was left in tears after a bizarre error at the first Lesmo cost him a chance to challenge Gasly, though eighth place was likely his realistic ceiling. Regardless, Alpine departs Monza with a significant morale boost as it fights to reclaim fifth place in the constructors’ standings amid pressure from Racing Bulls.

    Aston Martin–Honda Alliance Exposed at Monza

    Aston Martin may have made significant strides in Hungary, but Honda’s in-season development has been modest at best, leaving the Silverstone-based squad thoroughly exposed at Monza — even falling behind Cadillac. Neither Fernando Alonso nor Lance Stroll reached the checkered flag: Alonso retired with suspected car damage, while Stroll succumbed to a hydraulic failure. For this partnership, 2027 cannot arrive soon enough.

  • Fred Vasseur Delivers Verdict on Ferrari Driver Clash at Italian GP

    Fred Vasseur Delivers Verdict on Ferrari Driver Clash at Italian GP

    Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that the opening-lap clash between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix was “not good for the team” following a disappointing weekend for the Scuderia at Monza.

    First-lap incident drops Hamilton to tenth

    Leclerc defended aggressively against his teammate on lap one after both Ferraris started from the second row. The Monegasque driver refused to yield, pushing Hamilton wide at the exit of Turn 2 and forcing the seven-time champion into the gravel. Hamilton plummeted to 10th place as a result.

    Vasseur: ‘Outcome of Turn 1-2 is not good for the team’

    Addressing the media on Sunday night, Vasseur kept his initial remarks brief.

    “I spoke to Lewis for two seconds and not at all with Charles,” Vasseur said when asked about the incident during his media session on Sunday night. “We’ll have time to discuss that. I prefer to discuss with them first and not with you. For sure, the outcome of Turn 1-2 is not good for the team, if it’s the question.”

    Team orders debate: too early before Monza

    Ferrari has resisted imposing team orders this season despite external pressure to support Hamilton, who has been the quicker Ferrari driver relative to the Mercedes pair. Vasseur maintained that such a move would have been premature before the Italian round, though he signaled the stance could shift.

    “Now, to see if we [need to] have a team order or whatever, I think that the good comparison that I made was that last year,” he said. “Piastri was leading McLaren at this stage of the season and if McLaren put everything on Piastri, Max Verstappen would have been champion.

    “For sure, at one stage you have to take a decision, but I think it was too early to take a decision before Monza. Now I will have time to discuss with the guys.

    “For a team, it’s never good to lose points. This is clear. Now, basically at the beginning of the season, I think every single team principal in the world would love to let them race. To freeze positions when you are the team principal, don’t imagine that it’s an easy choice. You do it for the team, you do it for the results at the end, but it’s never an easy call.

    “By definition, I would love to let them race all the weekend. Now, by reason, you have to take a decision at one stage. Each team is different. We will have to take a decision when we’ll decide.”

    Drivers offer contrasting views on the clash

    Leclerc, who later retired after crashing at the Parabolica, admitted the incident went too far. “we went too far”, he said.

    Hamilton rejected the collective framing when Leclerc’s comment was put to him.

    “I was ahead in Turn 2, by the apex, I was ahead. There was no we in it.”

    Championship implications

    Following Kimi Antonelli’s victory at Monza, Hamilton now trails the Italian driver by 76 points in the drivers’ championship. In the constructors’ standings, Ferrari sits 122 points behind Mercedes.

  • Yuki Tsunoda Retains Italian GP Point After Avoiding Sanction

    Yuki Tsunoda Retains Italian GP Point After Avoiding Sanction

    Yuki Tsunoda Escapes Penalty After Monza Grid Position Investigation

    Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda has avoided punishment following a stewards’ investigation into his grid positioning during an early restart at the Italian Grand Prix. The Japanese driver retained his tenth-place finish and first point of the season after officials accepted the team’s explanation that he did not gain an advantage.

    Incident During Lap 6 Restart

    The incident occurred during a lap 6 restart triggered by a red flag for Charles Leclerc’s accident on lap 2. As Tsunoda took up 14th position on the grid, race control noted he appeared to park outside his designated grid box. Officials responded by adding an extra formation lap, and the stewards summoned Tsunoda and team representatives after the race for an alleged breach of Article B5.9.4 of the FIA Formula 1 Regulations regarding start procedure infringement.

    The investigation put Tsunoda’s hard-earned point at risk. The driver had returned to Racing Bulls this weekend, deputising for Liam Lawson after Lawson moved to Red Bull to replace the injured Isack Hadjar. Tsunoda had lost his regular seat at the end of the 2024 season and was serving as Red Bull’s reserve driver prior to this call-up.

    Tsunoda Explains Grid Confusion

    Tsunoda clarified that confusion over his starting position caused the unusual angle of his car on the grid.

    “I was a bit confused starting between 14th and 15th,” Tsunoda explained. “In my view, I didn’t really gain the position before the red flag. I thought I was 15th. But at least I parked behind the box, pretty far, so I don’t think I gained any advantage for that.”

    According to Tsunoda, he initially prepared to line up 15th on the left-hand side of the grid before realising he needed to cross the track to the right-hand side for 14th position.

    Stewards Accept Team Arguments

    The stewards agreed with Racing Bulls that Tsunoda was not in a false start position and that no other competitors were impacted. They determined the extra formation lap was a discretionary decision by the race director rather than a direct consequence of Tsunoda’s actions, noting the team had not been informed they were considered the cause.

    FIA Verdict Details

    The stewards’ full decision outlined several key findings verified through multiple camera angles:

    Car 22 approached the grid initially heading for the left hand side of the grid, then realising he was headed for the wrong grid position, the driver changed direction and positioned his car in the correct grid box and in the correct position within the grid box. This was verified by the Stewards with video from multiple camera angles.

    The Race Director, in evidence, stated that it was his call, based on the behaviour of the car on the approach to the grid box, to commence an extra formation lap. He stated he was not comfortable starting the race with the car in that position.

    The team representative presented five arguments:

    The team representative stated that:
    (i) The car was not in a “false start” position – referring to Article B5.1.1c of the F1 regulations, because no contact patch of the front tyres was outside the grid box lines (front and side)
    (ii) At the Drivers meeting, the Race Director advised that for the start, the track limits were the pit walls and in this case, even though the car was pointed to the right, it had at least 4 metres of space to move off from the start
    (iii) No other driver was impacted by the position of Car 22
    (iv) The driver of Car 22 was not the “cause” of the extra formation lap.
    (v) At no time was the team advised that Race Control considered Car 22 to be the cause of the extra formation lap.

    Regulatory Technicality Prevents Penalty

    The stewards analysed Article B5.9.4, which specifies that a driver who causes an extra formation lap must enter the pit lane at the end of that lap and start from there. A stop-and-go penalty applies only if the driver fails to comply with that requirement.

    Further, Article B5.9.4 goes on to specify that if a driver who causes the extra formation lap and is then able to start the extra formation lap, he must enter the Pit Lane at the end of the lap and start from the Pit Lane. It is only then, if the driver fails to do this, that the mandatory penalty of a Stop and Go penalty is imposed.

    In other words, the penalty is for failing to come into the Pit Lane and start from there. The penalty is not for causing the extra formation lap, if indeed, he caused the extra formation lap in the first place.

    A critical issue emerged regarding driver awareness. The team cited precedents where extra formation laps were ordered for extraneous reasons such as photographer positioning.

    A critical issue emerges here, in that in order to comply with the requirement to enter and start from the Pit Lane, a driver would need to know that he was the cause of the extra formation lap. The team representative quoted situations where extra formation laps have been commenced due to extraneous circumstances such as the position of a photographer etc. In this case, no message was sent to the team or the driver, advising them that they were the cause of the extra formation lap.

    The team, based on the fact that the car was positioned within its starting grid box in compliance with the regulations, had, in our determination, no reason to instruct its driver to enter and start from the Pit Lane.

    No Further Action Taken

    The stewards concluded they could not impose a penalty because the team and driver were unaware they were considered the cause of the extra formation lap. They acknowledged the race director acted in good faith and suggested the FIA consider implementing a formal notification process for future incidents.

    Accordingly, irrespective of whether or not the driver directly caused the extra formation lap, the team and driver were unaware that they were being considered as the cause, therefore we determine that we are unable to impose a Stop and Go penalty in this case, and decide to take no further action.

    We note that the Race Director acted in good faith and out of an abundance of caution in ordering an extra formation lap. We further note that the FIA might wish to consider implementing a process to advise teams and drivers if they are considered to be the cause of an extra formation lap, so that they are then able to comply with the requirements of Article B5.9.4.

    Tsunoda’s tenth-place finish stands, securing his first championship point of the 2025 season in just his second grand prix appearance for Racing Bulls.