14/06/2025
NEWS STORY
Yuki Tsunoda has been handed a 10-place grid drop for overtaking Oscar Piastri under a red flag.
The Australian had previously collided with the barrier at the exit of turn 14 and damaged his rear-right wheel and sustained a puncture and suspension damage.
A red flag was displayed when Tsunoda was at turn 6. The Red Bull driver reduced speed at that point. After turn 12, Tsunoda was approaching the McLaren on the back straight. The Japanese said that he saw Piastri travelling slowly on the left side of the track with obvious damage. He said that he was worried that he might be struck by debris and decided to overtake.
Telemetry showed that Piastri was travelling at 86 kph when Tsunoda overtook at a speed of 171 kph.
Having considered the matter extensively, the stewards determined that while Piastri had an obvious problem, it was not travelling at such a speed that it prevented Tsunoda from following it at a safe distance.
The circumstances were such that there was no justifiable reason for the Red Bull driver to have overtaken the McLaren.
Consequently, Tsunoda was handed a drop of 10 grid positions and 2 penalty points, total of 2 for the 12 month period.