AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda has been handed a grid penalty for impeding Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas during Formula 1 qualifying in Styria.
Tsunoda was judged to have hampered Bottas during the early stages of Q3 at the Red Bull Ring.
Tsunoda had completed a fast lap and stewards judged that he had received communication from AlphaTauri that he was now on an in-lap.
However AlphaTauri “did not warn Tsunoda of the approach of Bottas on a fast lap.”
Stewards determined that while Tsunoda “attempted to move off the racing line to the outside he did impede Bottas unnecessarily.
“It is the responsibility of every driver to be aware of faster cars when they are on a slow lap. The team should have assisted the driver in being aware of the approaching faster car but such lack of communication is not an excuse from the driver.”
Tsunoda qualified in eighth position but will now drop down to 11th on the grid.
Fernando Alonso will move up to eighth, with Lance Stroll ninth, while George Russell will start from 10th spot with a free choice of tyres.
