Stewards' verdict: Tsunoda gets grid penalty for Styrian Grand Prix

Yuki Tsunoda had set a top ten qualifying position in Austria, but the Japanese driver has been pushed backwards. The stewards have given him a three-place grid penalty.

During Q3 of the qualifying session for the Austrian Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas was furious on the radio. According to the Finn, he was blocked on his fast lap by Yuki Tsunoda at Turn 4. The Japanese driver was right in front of Bottas in the awkward corner, making it almost impossible for him to move.

Yet Tsunoda was blamed for the foul. The young driver of AlphaTauri was called to the stewards. The verdict is now in: he gets a three-place grid penalty. As a result he drops back to P11. George Russell is now on the tenth starting spot, and remains on a free choice of tyres. Alonso and Stroll also move up a place.

BREAKING: Yuki Tsunoda has been handed a three-grid place penalty for impeding Valtteri Bottas in qualifying.#F1 | #Formula1 | #FormulaOne | #StyrianGp pic.twitter.com/YG9tbUMwk5

— GPblog.com (@GPblog_com) June 26, 2021

Tsunoda not the only one with a penalty

Tsunoda is not the only one with a grid penalty this weekend. Bottas himself was penalised earlier for a spin in the pit lane. At Mercedes, they were experimenting with a new way to get away after a pit stop, which failed and at the same time endangered the safety of the people in the pit lane. The Finn will therefore start the race from fifth place on the grid.