The German team notified its intention to appeal after the Japanese driver's tenth place with Racing Bulls. They argue that Tsunoda caused an additional formation lap and should have started from the pit lane, which would have benefited Bortoleto.
The Italian Grand Prix continues to give something to talk about even after the checkered flag, Audi has notified the FIA of its intention to appeal the stewards' decision that exempted Yuki Tsunoda from a penalty for an incident on the starting grid. The German team considers that the Japanese Racing Bulls driver should have been penalized, which would have benefited its own driver, Gabriel Bortoleto, who finished in eleventh position.
The incident occurred during the start procedure after the red flag caused by Charles Leclerc's crash on the second lap. When the drivers were preparing for the restart, Tsunoda, who occupied tenth place, initially headed towards the left side of the grid before correcting his trajectory and placing himself in the correct position. This maneuver led the race director to order an additional formation lap, as he was not comfortable with the Japanese driver's car position.
The stewards, after analyzing images from multiple cameras, decided not to apply any penalty to Tsunoda. The official document explained that "car 22 approached the grid initially heading to the left side, then, upon realizing he was heading to the wrong position, changed direction and placed his car in the correct position" in addition, the stewards determined that at no time was the team informed that Race Control considered car 22 to be the cause of the additional formation lap.
This decision has not sat well in the Audi garage. Bortoleto finished eleventh, just one position away from scoring the last point at stake, and the German team considers that Tsunoda should have been forced to start from the pit lane according to Article B5.9.4 of the 2026 F1 sporting regulations. That article establishes that a driver who causes an additional formation lap must enter the pit lane and rejoin the race from there.
Audi issued an official statement explaining its position: "Following the Italian Grand Prix, we raised a concern about the application of Article B5.9.4 which requires a driver who causes an additional formation lap to enter the pit lane and resume the race from there. The stewards issued a 'No Further Action' decision, and we have notified our intention to appeal" the team stated.
The German team, which is in its debut season, sees in this appeal an opportunity to defend its drivers' interests and set a precedent: "As the matter is now subject to the FIA appeal process, we will not make further comments at this stage" concluded Audi's statement. The team trusts that the appeal can prosper and that the stewards' decision will be reviewed.
Audi's appeal adds a new chapter to an already controversial weekend at Monza. The incident with Tsunoda, added to the tension between the Ferrari drivers and Gasly's surprising pole, turned the Italian Grand Prix into one of the most commented races of the season. The appeal process could extend for several weeks and its resolution could have implications for the constructors' championship.
Audi's appeal opens a new front in the Monza case. The German team trusts that the FIA will review the decision, while Tsunoda hopes to keep his point. The outcome of this process could set an important precedent on the interpretation of the regulations in similar situations.
