MONZA, Italy — Audi has launched a challenge against the FIA’s decision not to penalize Yuki Tsunoda at the Italian Grand Prix, opening the possibility that the final points position at Monza could still change.
The German manufacturer has formally notified the FIA of its intention to appeal after Racing Bulls driver Tsunoda finished 10th and claimed the final championship point. Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg crossed the line immediately behind him in 11th and 12th, leaving the team just outside the points.
But Audi believes the regulations should have required Tsunoda to start from the pit lane after his role in triggering an additional formation lap during the chaotic restart.
What Happened to Yuki Tsunoda at the Italian Grand Prix?
The controversy unfolded after the Italian Grand Prix was red-flagged following Charles Leclerc’s heavy crash, which required repairs before racing could resume. Reuters reported that the restart itself was then aborted after Tsunoda’s positioning on the grid created further confusion.
During the restart procedure, Tsunoda stopped in his designated grid position but at an angle that left race director Rui Marques uncomfortable with the placement. Race control subsequently ordered an additional formation lap rather than allowing the race to restart immediately.
That extra formation lap became the center of Audi’s protest.
Under Article B5.9.4 of Formula 1’s sporting regulations, a driver deemed responsible for causing an additional formation lap may be required to enter the pit lane and start the race from there. Failure to do so can result in a stop-and-go penalty.
However, after investigating the incident, the stewards decided to take no further action against Tsunoda.
Why Audi Is Appealing the FIA Decision
Audi’s argument is straightforward: if Tsunoda was responsible for causing the additional formation lap, the team believes the regulations should have required him to start from the pit lane.
A penalty imposed after the race could have major consequences for the final classification.
Tsunoda finished 10th, while Bortoleto was approximately seven seconds behind in 11th, according to reports from Monza. Hulkenberg followed in 12th.
If a post-race stop-and-go penalty were converted into a time penalty, Tsunoda could potentially lose his finishing position and the point that came with it. That could promote Bortoleto into the top 10 and give Audi a valuable point in the constructors’ championship.
Why Did the Stewards Let Tsunoda Off?
The key issue appears to be how race control handled the additional formation lap.
According to reports on the stewards’ reasoning, Racing Bulls and Tsunoda were not informed that officials considered the Japanese driver responsible for causing the extra lap. The officials concluded that, without that notification, they could not fairly impose the stop-and-go penalty after the event.
That interpretation is now being challenged by Audi.
The appeal therefore goes beyond a single championship point. It raises a bigger question over whether the FIA’s start procedure was applied consistently — and whether a driver’s obligation under the regulations depends on race control explicitly informing the team that the driver caused the additional formation lap.
A Chaotic Monza Race Gets Even More Complicated
The Tsunoda dispute was only one chapter in a dramatic Italian Grand Prix.
The race was interrupted after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc crashed heavily, forcing a red flag and delaying proceedings. The subsequent restart then produced the Tsunoda controversy and another formation lap.
At the front, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli delivered one of the most remarkable performances of the season, winning his home race after starting deep in the field. Reuters reported that the victory extended his championship lead and added another historic chapter to an already chaotic afternoon at Monza.
Yet despite the headlines surrounding the winner, one of the race’s most important unresolved stories may now involve the battle for a single point.
What Happens Next?
Audi has filed its intention to appeal, but the final outcome will depend on the FIA’s appeal process and whether the original stewards’ interpretation is upheld.
If Audi succeeds, the Italian Grand Prix classification could be revised and Bortoleto could inherit 10th place.
If the FIA rejects the challenge, Tsunoda will keep his Monza point and Audi will remain empty-handed from a race in which both of its cars finished tantalizingly close to the top 10.
For Tsunoda, it means his Italian Grand Prix result may not yet be completely secure.
One restart. One controversial decision. One championship point.
And Audi is making sure the FIA takes another look.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.S
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