Stewards take action against Russell and Tsunoda after sprint quali breach

The Sprint Shootout at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix wasn’t just about lap times and tyre strategy—it also saw disciplinary action taken against Yuki Tsunoda and George Russell, who both received official reprimands for driving unnecessarily slowly during SQ1.

The reprimands were issued after both drivers were found to have breached Article 33.4 of the FIA Sporting Regulations, which states: “At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person.” In a damp but drying session at Spa-Francorchamps, the stewards determined that Tsunoda and Russell impeded other drivers as they positioned themselves for flying laps, creating potentially unsafe conditions.

This type of incident is not uncommon at Spa, where the long out-lap and rapidly changing weather often lead to traffic management challenges during qualifying. With tyres needing to be in the optimum temperature window and drivers seeking clean air, the resulting congestion can be chaotic—especially when the track is evolving quickly.

Though no grid penalties were applied—reprimands being the lightest disciplinary measure—it’s a warning signal. This is Russell’s first reprimand of the season, but Tsunoda now holds two. Should a driver accumulate five reprimands across a season, with at least three relating to driving behavior, they receive an automatic 10-place grid drop.

The reprimands serve as a reminder that while drivers aim to maximise their chances in tricky qualifying sessions, they must remain aware of their surroundings and abide by the sporting code. Managing track position is part of the challenge—but not at the cost of safety.

With full qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix still ahead—and more rain potentially on the way—drivers will need to strike a careful balance between preparation and compliance. With the stewards closely monitoring behavior and several drivers already on the radar, spatial awareness and discipline could prove just as decisive as outright pace this weekend.