Yuki Tsunoda learns Italian GP fate over alleged restart infringement

Filling in for Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls this weekend, the Japanese driver appeared to have lined up improperly on the grid following Charles Leclerc's shock Lap 2 crash at Monza. Moving late from the left hand side of the grid to the correct box on the right, Tsunoda is judged to have then placed his car in the correct position.

Therefore, the stewards have ruled that no further action will be taken on Tsunoda in a lengthy statement just released. After hearing from Tsunoda, the FIA Race Director, and the FIA Sporting Director of the Single Seater department, and reviewing video and in-video car evidence, the stewards have explained the decision.

The stewards said: "The Race Director, in evidence, stated that it was his call, based on the behaviour of the car on the approach to the grid box, to commence an extra formation lap. He stated he was not comfortable starting the race with the car in that position.

The stewards go on to explain that if Tsunoda was judged to have caused the extra formation lap during the restart, he ought to have received a stop and go penalty. However, since Tsunoda has been cleared of the infringement, and that Racing Bulls had not been advised by Race Control that Tsunoda was the "cause," he has escaped such punishment.

The statement continues: "Further, Article B5.9.4 goes on to specify that if a driver who causes the extra formation lap and is then able to start the extra formation lap, he must enter the Pit Lane at the end of the lap and start from the Pit Lane. It is only then, if the driver fails to do this, that the mandatory penalty of a Stop and Go penalty is imposed.