Audi has lodged its intention to appeal the Formula 1 stewards’ decision that allowed Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda to keep 10th place at Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix, denying Audi a point at Monza.
Tsunoda finished 10th after escaping a penalty over an extra formation lap during the race restart. Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto finished 11th while teammate Nico Hulkenberg was 12th.
Under the F1 sporting regulations, a driver deemed responsible for an extra formation lap would normally have to start from the pit lane and could face a mandatory stop-and-go penalty if they failed to do so. Tsunoda, however, continued from the grid and received no sanction.
The stewards confirmed the extra formation lap was triggered after Tsunoda initially approached the wrong side of his grid position before correcting his car and placing it in the correct box.
“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,” the stewards said.
Race director Rui Marques subsequently called for the start to be aborted based on the car’s positioning as it approached the grid box.
However, the stewards noted that neither Tsunoda nor Racing Bulls was informed that the driver had been considered responsible for the extra formation lap.
“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 stewards said Marques had “acted in good faith and out of an abundance of caution”, ultimately deciding to take no further action.
Audi has now notified the FIA of its intention to appeal, with the matter entering the FIA appeal process.
Tsunoda’s point is particularly significant for Audi as Bortoleto would have moved into the final points-paying position had the Japanese driver been penalised.
The Italian Grand Prix itself was won by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, who charged from 19th on the grid to claim a sensational home victory.
Reuters
