With Audi officially submitting its appeal over Monza, we're hoping that the FIA can resolve the matter soon.
Right after the Italian Grand Prix, Audi immediately notified the FIA of its intention to appeal the results. The team was surprised that Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda didn't get a penalty for causing an extra formation lap in the race restart at Monza.
Now, Audi has followed through on its intent, as they have officially submitted an appeal to the FIA.
Why is the appeal very important for Audi?
Both Audi drivers finished right behind Tsunoda, who crossed the line in 10th place. By doing so, the Japanese driver scored one point for the Racing Bulls. In the midfield, we all know that a single point can have huge ramifications in the championship, and ultimately, the prize money at the end of the season.
Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto crossed the checkered flag seven seconds behind Tsunoda. To go up a place and grab that important midfield point, Bortoleto just needs the stewards to hand at least a 10-second penalty to Tsunoda.
And yet, the standard penalty under Article B5.9.4 of the sporting regulations tells us that if a driver causes an extra formation lap, they have to start from the pit lane. If the driver fails to do that, they should be handed a mandatory stop-and-go penalty.
After the extra formation lap, Tsunoda didn't go through the pit lane. Instead, he lined up again at the grid.
Currently, Audi has 16 points in the Constructors' Championship, five points behind Haas for seventh place. With the five front-running teams (Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Racing Bulls) grabbing the points almost every weekend, midfield cars like Audi scrap and hustle for an all-important point.
That's why this appeal is very important for the German outfit.
Maybe a shorter review process this time?
The F1 paddock, especially Audi and the Racing Bulls teams, should be hoping for a shorter review process.
We can recall how long it took for the FIA to solidify the Monaco Grand Prix results. The Monaco race concluded on June 7, but the penalties and places were only reinstated almost a week ago.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has already requested that the FIA review potential changes to its review system, both in the efficiency and transparency aspects of the process.
However, during the race, Stella also acknowledged the "difficult job" that the stewards have of making quick decisions. He says that the teams are always discussing how to give the stewards the "best conditions" to do their job well.
