FIA Confirms Antonelli Penalty, Restoring Tsunoda's P5 in Qatar Sprint

Yuki Tsunoda reclaimed fifth place in the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race after the FIA handed Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli a five-second time penalty for track-limit breaches. This decision saw Tsunoda achieve his best result of the F1 2025 season.

Why it matters:

• Track limits penalties continue to be a significant factor, even in sprint races, directly impacting race outcomes and driver standings.
• Tsunoda's improved performance, including out-qualifying Max Verstappen, signals a positive shift for the Japanese driver and Red Bull.
• The ongoing battle for second in the Constructors' Championship between Mercedes and Red Bull adds weight to every point gained or lost.

The details:

• Original Outcome: Oscar Piastri won the Qatar sprint, followed by George Russell and Lando Norris. Tsunoda initially crossed the line fifth but received a five-second penalty for track limits, dropping him to sixth.
• Antonelli's Penalty: Andrea Kimi Antonelli was promoted to fifth after Tsunoda's penalty but then received his own five-second penalty for exceeding track limits on four occasions.
  • Stewards noted: "Car 12 exceeded track limits on three occasions and was given the black and white flag, then exceeded track limits a fourth time. Therefore in accordance with the guidelines, a 5 second penalty is imposed."
• Tsunoda's Best Result: With Antonelli's penalty, Tsunoda was reinstated to fifth, marking his best F1 2025 season result.
  • This also highlights his first time out-qualifying teammate Max Verstappen since joining Red Bull.
• Constructors' Standings Impact: Mercedes holds a 41-point lead over Red Bull in the Constructors' Championship with two rounds remaining, making every point crucial.

The big picture:

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, despite the penalty, secured his third podium finish of his rookie season at the previous Las Vegas Grand Prix after post-race disqualifications. Yuki Tsunoda, who replaced Liam Lawson, has accumulated 29 points this season, with his previous best finishes for Red Bull being sixth place in the Miami Grand Prix sprint and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

What's next:

The incident underscores the FIA's strict enforcement of track limits, which will continue to be a critical factor in upcoming races. For both Antonelli and Tsunoda, maintaining consistency and avoiding such penalties will be key as the F1 2025 season nears its conclusion.