Audi lodge 'intention to appeal' over Tsunoda decision in Italian GP

Audi have notified the FIA of their "intention to appeal" after Yuki Tsunoda avoided any penalty for a potential starting infraction at the Italian Grand Prix.

Following Charles Leclerc's crash on the second lap of Sunday's 53-lap race at Monza, the red flag was deployed to repair barrier damage before a standing restart took place.

However, drivers were sent round for a further formation lap after Tsunoda, making his second appearance of the season for Racing Bulls, made a late change of direction into the correct grid box when he realised he was heading for the wrong grid position.

Once the race resumed, Tsunoda eventually finished in 10th to claim the final point on offer, with the Japanese driver not penalised due to several factors, according to the stewards.

"Car 22 approached the grid initially heading for the left hand side of the grid, then realising he was headed for the wrong grid position, the driver changed direction and positioned his car in the correct grid box and in the correct position within the grid box," read the stewards' document on the incident.

"This was verified by the stewards with video from multiple camera angles. 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 document went on to say that "at no time was the team advised that Race Control considered Car 22 to be the cause of the extra formation lap", and so couldn't advise Tsunoda to start from the pit lane as per Article B5.9.4 of the F1 2026 sporting regulations.

The stewards ultimately concluded that "the extra formation lap resulted from the Race Director’s assessment of the situation, rather than being directly caused by the driver of Car 22."

Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto finished P11, just missing out on points and prompting the team to inform the FIA of its intention to appeal.

A statement from Audi read: "Following the Italian Grand Prix, we raised a concern regarding the application of Article B5.9.4, which requires a driver who causes an extra formation lap to enter the pit lane and resume the race from there.

"The stewards issued a decision of No Further Action, and we have notified our intention to appeal. As the matter is now subject to the FIA appeal process, we will not comment further at this stage."