Audi F1 appeals FIA decision regarding Yuki Tsunoda at Italian GP

The Audi F1 team has officially notified the FIA of its intention to appeal a stewards' decision regarding Yuki Tsunoda at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. The dispute centers on a race restart following a red flag caused by Charles Leclerc.

During the restart, Tsunoda positioned his Racing Bulls car at an unusual angle on the grid. This led Race Director Rui Marques to order an additional formation lap. Audi argues that under Article B5. 9. 4 of the F1 regulations, any driver causing an extra formation lap must enter the pit lane and restart from there. Tsunoda, however, remained on the grid and finished 10th, securing a championship point.

The stewards ultimately decided on ‘No Further Action,’ reasoning that Tsunoda was technically within his correct grid box and that the decision to run an extra lap was a precautionary measure by the Race Director rather than a direct consequence of the driver's actions. Furthermore, the team had not been notified that Tsunoda was considered the cause of the extra lap.

Audi contends that the decision unfairly impacted their driver, Gabriel Bortoleto, who finished 11th. A penalty for Tsunoda would likely have promoted Bortoleto to 10th place, earning Audi a valuable point in the Constructors' championship. The team now has a 96-hour window to lodge a formal appeal.