Yuki Tsunoda Hit with Extra Penalty After Norris Incident in Abu Dhabi

Yuki Tsunoda has been handed an extra penalty point by the FIA for forcing Lando Norris off the circuit during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, adding to the five-second time penalty he received during the race. The incident occurred on the main straight after Norris emerged from his pit stop behind the AlphaTauri driver, who was instructed by Red Bull to impede the McLaren driver.

Why it matters:

While Tsunoda’s actions were within team orders, the stewards ruled that his defensive maneuvers crossed the line by forcing Norris off track while defending position. This raises questions about the fine line between aggressive racing and unsafe driving, especially in high-stakes moments—even if Norris ultimately secured the world title.

The details:

• The FIA stewards reviewed video, team radio, and in-car footage before determining that Tsunoda made multiple changes of direction, leaving Norris with no option but to go off track to avoid contact.
• The official report stated: "Car 22 made a number of changes of direction which ultimately resulted in Car 4 having to go off track to avoid a collision."
• Tsunoda now has eight penalty points on his super license—four shy of a one-race suspension.
• Liam Lawson also picked up a penalty point for erratic driving, having already served a five-second penalty during the race.

What's next:

Tsunoda will not face a race ban, as he is set to be replaced by Isack Hadjar at AlphaTauri for the 2025 season. His 2026 path remains uncertain, though he continues in a reserve role with Red Bull. The incident adds scrutiny to how teams manage driver instructions under pressure, especially when title implications are on the line.