Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver representing Visa Cash App RB, has been fined €10,000 for an incident that occurred prior to the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix. The stewards penalized Tsunoda for being late to the National Anthem.
🚨 | Yuki Tsunoda has been summoned to the stewards for being late to the National Anthem.
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The team acknowledged their failure to adequately inform Tsunoda about the timing, which led to the delay. However, they also emphasized that it is the driver’s responsibility to arrive on time. Once Tsunoda became aware of the mistake, he made every effort to attend the National Anthem promptly.
The stewards investigated the incident after the race and deemed a violation. The team took responsibility for the incident: “The team stated that they failed to inform the driver about the timing adequately and therefore caused the delay, but it is also the responsibility of the driver to arrive in time. It is noted that the driver, once made aware of his mistake, took every reasonable effort to attend the National Anthem as soon as possible.”
“It Was My Mistake”: Yuki Tsunoda Takes Responsibility After Lockup Incident
With just three laps remaining until the checkered flag, Yuki Tsunoda found himself in ninth place. Running on the edge, he locked up his brakes and spun into the barriers. The incident dropped him to fourteenth on the grid, a frustrating outcome after spending most of the race in seventh position.
Throughout the race, Tsunoda battled not only the track but also his teammate, Daniel Ricciardo. The gap between the two drivers was minimal, and Tsunoda felt the pressure as Ricciardo closed in. Ultimately, the lockup proved costly, denying Tsunoda a chance at a higher finish.
Despite the disappointment, Tsunoda’s team had managed an impressive strategy. Keeping him out on intermediate tires for 44 laps allowed him to leapfrog his teammate on the grid. However, as the race progressed, tire struggles forced Tsunoda to pit for mediums, dropping him to ninth.
In a candid interview, Yuki Tsunoda admitted, “Yeah, it was my mistake. I had to lock up, and that’s it.” He acknowledged early brake struggles as the cause of the lockup. Despite the strategic advantage, he expressed disappointment with the final result.
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