Yuki Tsunoda can finally breathe a sigh of relief. His P10 finish at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix will stand after Racing Bulls successfully argued that their driver was not at fault for the incident that triggered an extra formation lap at Monza.
The saga began when the race was red-flagged following a heavy crash for Charles Leclerc on lap two. After lengthy barrier repairs, the field prepared for a restart. However, during the formation lap, Tsunoda, who was due to start from 15th on the grid, veered right at the last moment and stopped in the 14th slot. His car was left pointing slightly towards the pitwall, prompting FIA Race Director Rui Marques to call for an additional formation lap, stating he was "not comfortable starting the race with the car in that position."
The decision to add a lap came under scrutiny, as F1's sporting regulations, Article B5.9.4, state that any driver who causes an extra formation lap must enter the pitlane and start from the pit exit. Tsunoda did not do so, making him liable for a stop-and-go penalty.
Racing Bulls mounted a robust defence, arguing that the car was not in a "false start" position since its front tyres were within the grid box lines. They also pointed out that no other driver was affected, Tsunoda was not told he was the cause, and the extra lap was the race director's choice.
The stewards sided with the team, clarifying that the penalty applies only when a driver who causes an extra lap fails to start from the pitlane. "The penalty is for failing to come into the pitlane and start from there. It is not for causing the extra formation lap, if indeed he caused it in the first place," they stated.
Nevertheless, the stewards suggested that FIA might consider a process to inform teams and drivers if they are deemed responsible for an extra formation lap, ensuring clarity for future pitlane starts.
On track, Tsunoda displayed grit after the restart, surging from P14 to P11 at the first corner before overtaking Ollie Bearman's Haas to secure his first point as a stand-in driver for Racing Bulls. He ran as high as ninth before being passed by Franco Colapinto, but the result still earned him a valuable point.
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