Audi has formally communicated its intent to appeal a stewards’ decision that opted for no further action against Yuki Tsunoda. The appeal, lodged on Sunday, September 6, 2026, concerns an incident related to Tsunoda’s car positioning on the grid.
The specific event in question led to the commencement of an additional formation lap during a recent Grand Prix. Race Control initiated this extra lap directly due to the approach and placement of car number 22, driven by Tsunoda, on the starting grid.
Audi’s grievance centers on the belief that Tsunoda’s actions, despite not resulting in a direct penalty, instigated the ‘caution action’ by the Race Director. The team argues that while Tsunoda may not have explicitly broken a regulation, his positioning was the root cause of the procedural delay.
This appeal follows the FIA’s revised regulations for the 2026 season, which significantly increased the deposit required for protests, appeals, and reviews. The fee for such challenges rose from €2,000 to €20,000, a measure implemented to deter speculative disputes.
Audi made its anticipated debut in Formula 1 during the current 2026 season, having acquired the Sauber team. The German manufacturer fields Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto as its drivers, with Mattia Binotto serving as CEO and Team Principal.
The FIA’s judicial processes differentiate between protests, appeals, and rights of review. Appeals, which do not require new evidence, are less common than rights of review, which necessitate a significant new element to challenge penalties.
The outcome of Audi’s appeal will determine whether the stewards’ initial decision regarding Tsunoda’s incident is upheld or overturned. This process underscores the ongoing scrutiny of on-track conduct and regulatory adherence within the sport.
