The FIA International Court of Appeal has set a date to hear the Appeal filed by Audi against Yuki Tsunoda against his 10th-placed finish at the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix.
The FIA’s highest appellate tribunal will hear Audi’s appeal against the Japanese racing driver’s Monza result on November 25 at its Paris headquarters.
Tsunoda had stepped in for Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls for three rounds in 2026 after the Kiwi racing driver was drafted at Red Bull to replace an injured Isack Hadjar.
The 26-year-old scored his solitary championship point at the Temple of Speed with a 10th-placed finish. Audi finished 11th and 12th with its drivers at the chequered flag.
Tsunoda had been slated to start the race from 14th on the grid, but slotted himself into 15th instead after the formation lap. He quickly realised his mistake and tried jumping back across the grid.
That said, he found himself at an awkward angle, and Race Director Rui Marques decided to run an additional formation lap. Tsunoda started the race from the grid, and ended up 10th, but Audi decided to lodge a protest.
The German marque argued that Tsunoda had been in violation of Article B5.9.4 of the Sporting Regulations, which read, “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 the [session] from the end of the Pit Lane.”
Failing to start from the pit lane would then incur a stop-and-go penalty.
Stewards explain reason behind Yuki Tsunoda let off at F1 Italian GP
The stewards’ decision to allow Tsunoda to retain his 10th-placed finish was more to do with a different interpretation of the situation than the statute.
They concurred that the decision to undertake a second formation lap was that of Marques and not necessarily resulting from Tsunoda’s mistake.
“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 verdict read.
“The Stewards agree with the points [made by a Racing Bulls team representative] and consider that 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.”
If Audi succeed, Gabriel Bortoleto could potentially be bumped a place up and into the points for the race classification at Monza.
READ MORE – Yuki Tsunoda offers explanation to 2025 F1 struggles with Red Bull
Discussion about this post