Tsunoda Defends Against Norris Penalty After Decisive Abu Dhabi Title Moment

Yuki Tsunoda's 5-second penalty during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for weaving while defending against Lando Norris proved decisive in the 2025 drivers' championship. The Red Bull driver's failed attempt to hold position allowed Norris to secure third place and the world title, with Tsunoda criticizing race control's decision as "very harsh" amid championship implications.

Why it matters:

This single incident determined the championship outcome in a season where every point counted. With Max Verstappen leading but needing Norris to finish fourth or lower, Tsunoda's role as tactical defender became critical. The penalty highlights how marginal decisions by race control can alter title outcomes, and raises questions about the consistency of weaving enforcement during high-stakes championship battles.

The Details:

• Race control issued the penalty during the final laps after Tsunoda made multiple steering movements while defending against Norris on the main straight, violating Article 27.4 of the sporting regulations.
• Tsunoda maintained he was executing team orders correctly: "I know what to do... there's not any benefits to letting him go easy. I tried my best but he just came quick and overtook me."
• Defensive Strategy: The Japanese driver analyzed why he didn't attempt to slow Norris in the final sector, noting Norris was closing the gap by "five tenths per lap" despite starting 8-9 tenths behind.
• Sector Dynamics: Tsunoda explained Norris maximized performance through Turns 1-5: "He did well, but I don't think there's much difference, even if I slowed massively, because he probably would overtake me into Turn 1."
• Penalty Reaction: When questioned about the sanction, Tsunoda dismissed it with characteristic bluntness: "I don't know what they're thinking. As usual, very harsh."

What's next:

Tsunoda's Abu Dhabi performance marks his final race as Red Bull's race driver before transitioning to reserve duties in 2026. His replacement Isack Hadjar will inherit a seat that proved pivotal in championship dynamics this season.

• The incident will likely fuel ongoing debates about defensive driving rules, particularly how race control applies weaving regulations during title-deciding moments.
• Norris' championship-winning pass underscores why Red Bull's tactical deployment of Tsunoda remains one of the season's most scrutinized decisions - a calculated risk that ultimately fell short due to both driving execution and regulatory interpretation.
• As Tsunoda moves to a reserve role, this moment will define his 2025 legacy: a driver caught between team orders and sporting regulations at the most critical moment of the season.