Tsunoda fined for offensive language in Austrian GP qualifying
30th June 2024Visa Cash App RB’s Yuki Tsunoda was fined €40,000 for using offensive language over his team radio during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Tsunoda was summoned to the steward’s office shortly after qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix for making ‘inappropriate comments’ on his team radio, the report said.
As such the Japanese driver was fined €40,000 of which €20,000 was suspended for the remainder of the season, on the condition no similar incident occurs.
According to the Steward’s report, Tsunoda was queuing in the fast lane of the pits in Q1 when another car pulled into the fast lane ahead of him. As a result, the #22 RB made a statement over the team radio which included offensive language.
During the hearing, it was stated that Tsunoda was ‘very apologetic’ as English is not his first language and was unaware of the meaning of the words he used in the English language.
Tsunoda believed the words he used had a different meaning and was ‘horrified’ when he found out the meaning. He accepted responsibility for his actions and acknowledged it was no ‘excuse for what he did.’
In conclusion to the report, the stewards said:
“The Stewards appreciate the honesty of the driver, but reinforce the fact the words used are offensive and wholly inappropriate.
“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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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
