F1 News: FIA penalty for Yuki Tsunoda after serious radio incident

Yuki Tsunoda was fined by the FIA ​​after an investigation into his team’s radio communications in the first quarter of the Qualifying on Saturday in Spielberg.

The Visa Cash App RB driver received a fine of 40,000 euros, of which 20,000 euros will be suspended for the rest of the season on condition that a similar incident does not happen again.

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The FIA ​​​​declared that driver number 22 Tsunoda had breached Article 12.2.1 k) of the International Sporting Code due to “insulting language”.

After examining the evidence, the sports body stated: “During the hearing, the driver apologised profusely and explained that, as English was not his first language, he had only learned after the meeting what the meaning of the words used was in the English language.”

Tsunoda punished for “insulting language”

The incident occurred when the Japanese driver became annoyed with the cars in front of him driving slowly in the pit lane and protested to his team over the radio, using language the FIA ​​​​deemed inappropriate.

The official FIA report continues: “He said he was horrified when he learned this. He claimed he had misunderstood the words but acknowledged that this should not be seen as an excuse for his behaviour.”

“The race management appreciates the driver’s honesty but stresses that the words used are offensive and completely inappropriate. The use of such words on a platform accessible to the public constitutes misconduct under Article 20 of the International Sporting Code.”

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