Gabriel Bortoleto’s result at the Italian Grand Prix in Formula 1 may still undergo an important change. Audi has decided to proceed with the appeal against the decision that cleared Yuki Tsunoda of a penalty, following the incident that caused an additional formation lap in the race at Monza.
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Bortoleto crossed the finish line in 11th, just one position behind the Racing Bulls driver. If Audi’s appeal is accepted and Tsunoda receives a thirty-second penalty, the Brazilian will move up to tenth place and earn a point in the Italian race.
The controversy began even before the start. Rui Marques, race director, understood that Tsunoda’s car was positioned improperly on the grid, angled towards the pit wall, after the Japanese driver got the side he should stop on the starting grid wrong and was ‘crooked’ when moving to the correct position, and ordered the drivers to complete an extra formation lap.
With that, the discussion then moved to the application of article B5.9.4 of the 2026 sporting regulations. The rule states that the driver responsible for an additional formation lap must return to the pits and start the race from the pit lane.
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Racing Bulls presented a different interpretation. The team stated that Tsunoda had not left his grid position and that his placement had not caused harm to the other drivers. They also highlighted that they had not received from race control the information that the Japanese driver had been considered responsible for the extra lap, which is why they did not instruct him to start from the pit lane.
The stewards accepted the arguments and did not apply the penalty. Audi, however, considers that the consequence provided in the regulations is clear for the driver who causes an additional formation lap.
According to Motorsport.com, the German manufacturer initially informed the FIA that it intended to appeal and used the available 96-hour period to review the regulations and prepare its challenge. Audi decided to formalize the appeal before the deadline. There is no set date for the hearing yet, which may also serve to seek a more precise interpretation of the rule in future cases.
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