FIA announce LATE demotion for Red Bull F1 star after....read more

FIA announce LATE demotion for Red Bull F1 star after….read more

In a last-minute update ahead of the Imola Grand Prix, the FIA has confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda, the Red Bull-backed Formula 1 driver, will be forced to begin Sunday’s race from the pit lane. This decision comes following a dramatic and dangerous crash during the qualifying session that left his car heavily damaged and ultimately flipped upside down.

Tsunoda’s crash took place at the Villeneuve chicane, shortly after he exited the Tamburello corner. The Japanese driver lost control of his car, causing it to spin violently toward the barriers. The impact was severe enough to flip the car upside down upon contact. Fortunately, the car’s roll hoop functioned as designed, righting the vehicle again and helping Tsunoda avoid serious injury. The incident triggered a red flag and brought a temporary halt to qualifying, with emergency crews quickly arriving on the scene.

Despite walking away from the crash without major injuries, the extensive damage to Tsunoda’s car forced his team to make significant repairs, including changes to parts that are subject to parc fermé conditions. According to FIA regulations, if a team replaces components or modifies the car outside of what is permitted during parc fermé, the driver is required to start from the pit lane instead of the grid. As a result, the stewards made the official decision that Tsunoda would not be allowed to take his original qualifying position and would instead begin the race from the pit lane.

This is a frustrating setback for the young driver, who had shown flashes of speed throughout the weekend. Tsunoda has been under pressure this season to prove his consistency and secure his long-term future within the Red Bull driver program. Starting from the pit lane significantly reduces his chances of scoring points at Imola, especially given the notoriously difficult overtaking conditions at the Italian circuit.

Meanwhile, the crash serves as a reminder of the dangers inherent in Formula 1, even as safety standards continue to improve. Thanks to advancements in car design and safety protocols, Tsunoda escaped what could have been a far more serious incident. However, the penalty underscores the consequences of such crashes, not just physically but also in terms of a driver’s competitive prospects.

Tsunoda and his team will now be hoping for a clean and strategic race, with the possibility of capitalizing on any mistakes or safety car interventions to climb up the field despite the tough starting position.