Yuki Tsunoda Receives Grid Penalty at Dutch GP, Affects Hamilton’s Qualifying
In a significant development at the Dutch Grand Prix, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda was penalized with a three-place grid drop for impeding Lewis Hamilton during the qualifying session. This penalty, resulting from Tsunoda’s actions on the track, has reshuffled the starting grid positions, impacting several drivers.
Key Takeaways:
- Yuki Tsunoda, the AlphaTauri driver, received a three-place grid penalty after being found to impede Lewis Hamilton during the Dutch GP qualifying. The official letter from the Stewards cited Tsunoda’s failure to stay off the racing line, affecting Hamilton’s performance.
- The penalty pushed Tsunoda from fourteenth to seventeenth on the grid, consequently advancing Nico Hulkenberg, Zhou Guanyu, and Esteban Ocon each by one position.
- While Tsunoda faces the consequences, Max Verstappen secured pole position, with other top contenders like Lando Norris, George Russell, and Alex Albon starting in the leading grid positions.
In the latest twist at the Dutch Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri has been handed a three-place grid penalty following his actions during the qualifying session. This development has not only impacted Tsunoda’s starting position but also affected several other drivers’ placements on the grid, including seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Tsunoda’s penalty comes after a detailed review by the race stewards. In their official statement, they noted, “Tsunoda was on the dry racing line at the exit of Turn 13 preparing for his fast lap and had not fully come up to speed and therefore impeded Hamilton.” They further explained Tsunoda’s rationale, where he claimed to have slowed down to regain his gap after being overtaken. However, the stewards concluded that “Tsunoda clearly had the ability to stay off the line and therefore this impeding was unnecessary.”
Originally qualifying in fourteenth place, Tsunoda will now start from the seventeenth position on the grid. This reshuffle benefits Nico Hulkenberg, Zhou Guanyu, and Esteban Ocon, who each move up a position.
On the other end, Hamilton faced challenges during the qualifying session, struggling with traffic and extracting performance from the Mercedes W14. He will begin the race from the thirteenth position. Interestingly, Lance Stroll was also summoned by the stewards for a potential impediment to Hamilton, but no action was deemed necessary against him.
In a thrilling turn of events for the home crowd, Max Verstappen clinched the pole position. He will be leading the race, followed closely by formidable competitors such as Lando Norris, George Russell, and Alex Albon, who have secured the second, third, and fourth positions, respectively.
This grid penalty for Tsunoda adds another layer of excitement to the already thrilling Dutch Grand Prix, setting the stage for an unpredictable and exhilarating race.
