Yuki Tsunoda managed to keep his points-scoring result at the Italian Grand Prix after a post-race investigation by the stewards. The stand-in driver for Racing Bulls finished tenth at Monza, but his result was under threat due to a suspected starting infringement.
The incident began when Yuki Tsunoda appeared confused on the grid before the start. He initially pulled into the wrong grid slot and only returned to his correct position as the red lights were about to illuminate, leaving his car angled to the right. This prompted the race director to order an extra formation lap for safety reasons, which then triggered an investigation into the Japanese driver.
In their verdict, the stewards determined that Tsunoda's car was still within the allowed grid lines, with no part of the front tyres outside the grid box. The team also argued that no other driver was impacted by the positioning of car number 22, and that Tsunoda was not the direct cause of the extra formation lap.
Stewards' Decision and Implications
The stewards stated that the decision to add an extra formation lap was based solely on the race director's cautious assessment. They also highlighted a regulatory gap that does not require the FIA to inform a team if a driver is deemed the cause of an extra formation lap. This meant the team had no reason to instruct Tsunoda to enter the pit lane, making a stop-and-go penalty inapplicable.
This outcome is significant for Racing Bulls, who are engaged in a tight midfield battle in the constructors' championship. Tsunoda's single point helps the team maintain their competitive edge, despite a disappointing qualifying session.
Tsunoda continues his substitute role at Racing Bulls while Liam Lawson is on loan to Red Bull, replacing Isack Hadjar. This situation adds another layer of intrigue as the season approaches its climax, where every position and point matters for the midfield teams.
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