Audi appeals Italian GP decision after FIA stewards’ verdict

Audi has formally appealed the Italian Grand Prix result, arguing that Yuki Tsunoda should have been required to start from the pit lane after causing an extra formation lap at Monza. The FIA stewards had decided to take no further action, allowing Tsunoda to keep his P10 finish and the point that came with it.

Why it matters:

A successful appeal would promote Gabriel Bortoleto to P10, handing Audi a valuable point in the constructors' standings. The case also tests how strictly the FIA applies start procedure rules, with potential implications for future races.

The details:

• The incident occurred at the restart when Tsunoda appeared out of shape in his grid box, prompting the Race Director to call a second formation lap.
• Stewards ruled that the extra lap resulted from the Race Director's assessment, not directly caused by Tsunoda, and noted no message was sent to the team or driver.
• Audi cites Article B5.9.4 of the FIA Sporting Regulations, which requires a driver who causes an extra formation lap to restart from the pit lane.
• Bortoleto, currently classified P11, would gain the point if the decision is reversed.
• Bortoleto's view: "I think it's quite straightforward in the rules. When a driver causes an extra formation lap, he must start from the pit lane and, in that case, Yuki didn't. What's right is right at the end of the day."
• Bortoleto joked about his string of P11s: "A bit too many, yeah. More than what I would like to."

What's next:

Audi confirmed the appeal was submitted within the 96-hour window mandated by the regulations. The matter is now subject to the FIA appeal process, and Audi says it will not comment further. The outcome could take weeks to be resolved, with a single point potentially shifting the midfield battle.