FIA announce Red Bull decision after Imola Grand Prix Re...read more

FIA Grants Red Bull’s Request: Yuki Tsunoda Cleared to Start from Back of Grid at Imola Grand Prix

The FIA has issued an official decision allowing Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda to start the 2025 Imola Grand Prix from P20 on the grid, following a dramatic qualifying crash that left him without an official lap time.

The seventh round of the 2025 Formula 1 season, hosted in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, has already been full of twists. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen enters Sunday’s race looking to secure only his second win of the year, after a challenging start to the season for the reigning Constructors’ Champions. While Verstappen showed encouraging pace in qualifying, the attention quickly shifted to his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, after a shocking Q1 incident.

The 25-year-old Japanese driver, recently promoted to the main Red Bull seat from RB (formerly AlphaTauri) in place of Liam Lawson, lost control of the RB21 after taking too much kerb during his qualifying run. His car flipped dramatically and slammed into the catch fencing in a terrifying crash that brought an early end to his qualifying campaign. Fortunately, Tsunoda walked away uninjured, and Red Bull soon confirmed that the driver was physically unharmed.

Despite his inability to set a timed lap in qualifying, Red Bull appealed to the FIA to allow Tsunoda to race, citing his satisfactory pace during practice sessions as a basis for their request. On Sunday morning, the FIA officially announced their approval:

> “The stewards have received a request from Oracle Red Bull Racing to allow car 22 to start the race despite failing to set a lap time in Q1,” the FIA statement read.

“In accordance with Article 39.4 b) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, the stewards grant permission for car 22, Yuki Tsunoda, to start the race, as the driver has set satisfactory times in practice at this competition. The car will be placed on the grid in accordance with Article 42.1 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.”

The verdict means Tsunoda will start the Imola Grand Prix from P20 — the final position on the grid — rather than from the pit lane. It’s a critical decision for Red Bull, who are looking to maximize every point possible in a season that has not gone according to plan.

Red Bull’s campaign has been marked by inconsistency, internal pressure, and driver reshuffles. After underwhelming performances from Liam Lawson, the team opted to bring in Tsunoda, who had shown promising flashes at RB but is still adjusting to the challenges of the top-tier seat. His best finish so far in 2025 remains a P9 in Bahrain, with the rest of his results being less than ideal as he struggles to find consistency and confidence in the RB21.

Team Principal Christian Horner and long-time Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko are believed to be under increasing pressure to stabilize the team’s performance. With Ferrari and Mercedes pulling ahead in the Constructors’ standings, Red Bull currently sits third — a far cry from their dominant run in 2023 and 2024.

Today’s race at Imola offers both risk and opportunity. With Verstappen in a strong position following qualifying and Tsunoda given a lifeline at the back of the grid, Red Bull will be hoping for a double-points finish to reignite their season.

All eyes now turn to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari as the 2025 Imola Grand Prix prepares to get underway. Can Red Bull bounce back, or will their troubles continue in the Italian hills?