Yuki Tsunoda given huge fine for ‘inappropriate comments’ in Austrian GP qualifying
Yuki Tsunoda of Team RB at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix
Yuki Tsunoda has been fined €40,000 (€20,000 suspended for the rest of 2024) for the use of ‘inappropriate comments’ on team radio, which the FIA deemed “offensive and wholly inappropriate”.
After the end of Q1, Team RB racer Yuki Tsunoda is alleged to have said, “These guys are fucking r*tarded”, which led him to be summoned to the stewards.
Update: Yuki Tsunoda fined €40,000
FIA stewards have released a verdict regarding Tsunoda’s use of an alleged ableist slur on team radio during qualifying: Tsunoda has been fined €20,000; he will face an additional €20,000 fine if he makes comments of a similar nature in 2024.
According to the FIA release, Tsunoda was “apologetic” and “explained that because English is not his first language he was unaware until after the session what the meaning of the words used is in the English language.”
Tsunoda, they said, was “horrified” but acknowledged that his surprise is “not an excuse for what he did.”
“The Stewards appreciate the honesty of the driver, but reinforce the fact the words used are offensive and wholly inappropriate,” the report reads.
“To have used such words over a platform that is available to the public amounted to misconduct as defined in Article 20 of the International Sporting Code.
“Considering the circumstances, the Stewards determine that a severe fine is required, but also take into account the genuine remorse of the driver and his offer to issue a public apology and for these reasons decide to suspend part of the fine imposed.”
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Yuki Tsunoda summoned for breach of misconduct rules
FIA stewards summoned Yuki Tsunoda regarding an infraction of Article 12.2.1 k of the International Sporting Code regarding comments made on team radio at 16:14 — or, during Q1.
Article 12.2 overall concerns the “breach of rules,” while Article 12.2.1.k refers to a very general category labeled “Any Misconduct.”
In the past, the article has been more specific in pinpointing the kinds of misconduct; the 2024 International Sporting Code has adopted the more general stance.
A clip of the incident has circulated on social media with a frustrated Tsunoda in the pit lane. In it, the RB driver was alleged to say: “These guys are fucking r*tarded.”
There is some amount of distortion on the radio as Tsunoda says the alleged slur, as his team responds: “Yuki, no worries, no worries, plenty of time.”
Read next: Winners and losers from the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix qualifying
