Red Bull Driver Under Investigation After FP3 Incident with Norris
Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda is under investigation after impeding Lando Norris during FP3 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, forcing the championship leader off track. Although no contact was made, the incident could lead to penalties that might influence the decisive weekend, with stewards set to review the matter post-session.
Yuki Tsunoda, a Red Bull driver, will be investigated by stewards following a near-miss with Lando Norris during Free Practice 3 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The incident forced Norris to abort a flying lap and highlighted the tight margins in the title-deciding weekend.
Why it matters:
Incidents like this, even in practice, can carry consequences for the race weekend, especially in a championship decider. Penalties, even minor grid drops, could significantly impact a driver's or team's strategy and championship aspirations at a crucial moment. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of clear communication and track awareness among drivers to ensure safety and fair competition.
The details:
- The incident occurred approximately 25 minutes into FP3 during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
- Championship leader Lando Norris was on a flying lap when he encountered Yuki Tsunoda at Turn 12.
- Tsunoda, driving for Red Bull, impeded Norris, forcing the McLaren driver to leave the track to avoid contact.
- Fortunately, no contact was made between the two cars, and Tsunoda immediately raised his hand to apologize to Norris.
- Stewards confirmed that the incident would be investigated after the session to determine if any regulations were breached and if penalties are warranted.
What's next:
The stewards' investigation will determine if any action is needed against Tsunoda. Potential penalties range from a reprimand to a grid drop for the qualifying session or the race, which could have significant implications for the championship battle. All eyes will be on the official decision as teams and drivers prepare for the crucial qualifying session.