F1 News: FIA Penalty for Yuki Tsunoda After Serious Radio Incident

Yuki Tsunoda was fined by the FIA following an investigation into his team’s radio communications in the first quarter of this year Saturday’s qualifying session in Spielberg.

The Visa Cash App RB driver was fined €40,000, of which €20,000 was suspended until the end of the season on condition that a similar incident does not happen again.

F1 HEADLINES: Horner sparked bitter dispute when FIA announced last minute CHANGE of Austrian GP

READ MORE: FIA announces verdict on Verstappen’s penalty after accident during Austrian Grand Prix

The FIA found that 22-year-old driver Tsunoda breached Article 12.2.1 k) of the International Sporting Code due to “offensive language”.

After reviewing the evidence, the sport’s governing body said: “During the interview, the driver was very apologetic and explained that as English was not his first language, he was not aware of the meaning of the words used in English until the end of the session.”

Both Yuki Tsunoda and teammate Daniel Ricciardo were eliminated from qualifying in Q2

Yuki Tsunoda recently extended his contract with VCARB for another year

Tsunoda fined for ‘offensive language’

The incident occurred when the Japanese driver became irritated with cars driving slowly in front of him in the pit lane and addressed his team on the radio, using what the FIA deemed to be inappropriate language.

The official FIA report continues: “He said he was horrified when he found out. He claimed to understand the words differently, but admitted that this should not be considered an excuse for what he did.

“The stewards appreciate the driver’s honesty but emphasise the fact that the words used were offensive and completely inappropriate. Using such words on a platform accessible to the public constituted an offence under Article 20 of the International Sporting Code.”

READ MORE: F1 fans are furious over a blunder in the coverage of the Austrian GP

Tsunoda fined for ‘offensive language’

Related