Tsunoda Questions Penalty After Overtaking Piastri

Yuki Tsunoda has voiced his frustration regarding a 10-place grid penalty imposed on him for overtaking Oscar Piastri under red flags during the final practice session. The Red Bull driver expressed disbelief that he would face repercussions for what he believed was a safe maneuver.

The Incident: A Dangerous Scenario

The situation unfolded as Piastri limped into the pits due to significant damage to his McLaren, shedding parts along the way. Tsunoda revealed that he saw Piastri moving at a snail's pace — comparable to the pit lane speed limit — and worried that debris or the damaged car itself could pose a risk.

"It was absurd to receive a penalty for trying to avoid a dangerous situation," Tsunoda told the official F1 channel. "Piastri was barely moving, and I feared that if I stayed behind him, I might get hit by something flying off his car."

A Calculated Move or Rule-Breaking?

Tsunoda argued that overtaking was the safer option. "I maneuvered to the far right where there were no other cars, and overtook him at around 170 km/h, which is significantly slower than the usual racing speed. It felt like the right decision given the debris scattered all over the track."

He further expressed confusion at the stewards' ruling. "If they have a rule against overtaking in free practice, that's one thing, but I don’t believe I deserved this penalty considering the circumstances."

Team Principal Backs Tsunoda

Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, also defended Tsunoda, acknowledging the complexity of the scenario. "It looked like Oscar was in a compromised position as he returned to the pits. It was a tough call, and I understand Yuki's frustration with how it was handled."

Contrast in Communication

Interestingly, Lewis Hamilton, who was also on track during the incident, chose to stay behind Piastri after being advised by his race engineer to avoid overtaking. Tsunoda, on the other hand, did not receive such guidance, which raises questions about team communications and consistency in handling similar situations.

What Happens Next?

As the narrative unfolds, Tsunoda’s penalty could shuffle the grid significantly for the upcoming race. Will this incident spark a review of existing protocols regarding red flags and overtaking? Only time will tell, but it’s clear that the stakes in Formula 1 are higher than ever, and controversy is never far behind.