FIA Adds Penalty Point to Tsunoda's Superlicence After Norris Incident

The FIA has added one penalty point to Yuki Tsunoda's superlicence for his weaving defense against Lando Norris during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, bringing his 12-month tally to eight points. This follows the five-second time penalty he received during the race for forcing Norris off track while defending position in the championship-deciding finale.

Why it matters:

The penalty compounds Tsunoda's difficult exit from Red Bull's race seat after the team demoted him to test-and-reserve driver for 2025. With eight points accumulated within 12 months, he now sits just four points away from an automatic one-race ban under F1's penalty system. This incident also directly impacted the championship outcome, as Norris overcame the disruption to secure his first world title by two points over Max Verstappen.

The details:

• Incident mechanics: Stewards determined Tsunoda made "multiple changes of direction" while defending against Norris on the back straight, forcing the McLaren driver off track to avoid collision. Video and team radio evidence showed Red Bull instructed Tsunoda to "make life difficult" for the title contender.
• Penalty context: Tsunoda's eight points include penalties from previous incidents, including a formal warning from Saturday's FP3 session where he drove slowly on the approach to Turn 12, causing Norris to take evasive action. Red Bull was fined €10,000 for failing to warn Tsunoda about the approaching McLaren.
• Career consequences: The Japanese driver finished 14th in his final race for Red Bull after struggling with tire management. Team principal Christian Horner confirmed pre-race that Tsunoda's demotion resulted from inconsistent performance throughout 2024, with the Abu Dhabi incident serving as the final straw.
• Championship impact: Norris maintained composure after the incident to finish third, securing enough points to clinch the title despite Verstappen's race win. The stewards cleared Norris of any wrongdoing for completing the pass with all four wheels off track.

What's next:

Tsunoda now faces heightened scrutiny in every future on-track battle as he approaches the 12-point suspension threshold. His immediate focus shifts to adapting to a reserve role at Red Bull while seeking a 2026 race seat elsewhere.

• With four points separating him from a ban, even minor infractions during testing or promotional events could trigger disciplinary action
• The incident reinforces F1's strict enforcement of weaving defense rules, sending a clear message to drivers about aggressive tactics in championship-deciding moments
• Tsunoda's performance in 2025 reserve duties will be critical for securing a race seat, as teams weigh his raw speed against recurring disciplinary issues