RB Components 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda is being investigated over staff radio feedback he made in 2024 Austrian Grand Prix qualifying, which appeared to incorporate an ableist slur.
On the finish of Q1 in Austria on Saturday Tsunoda appeared to say over his staff radio, “these guys are f***ing retarded” after being overtaken within the pitlane by Zhou Guanyu, as Tsunoda queued within the quick lane and the Sauber driver was waved out by a mechanic.
The incident was noticed by followers on social media and the matter was reported to FIA officers.
Autosport understands they assessed if it ought to be referred to the stewards – in the same method to how an on-track conflict is first famous and assessed by race management officers earlier than the matter is referred to occasion stewards if needed.
The rule in query that Tsunoda seems to have damaged is Article 12.2.1.f of the FIA’s Worldwide Sporting Code.
This states {that a} competitor might be deemed to be in breach of the foundations if there are “any phrases, deeds or writings which have brought about ethical harm or loss to the FIA, its our bodies, its members or its govt officers, and extra typically on the curiosity of motorsport and on the values defended by the FIA”.
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Workforce VCARB 01
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Verstappen later stated, “I do not say that the phrases I selected had been the fitting ones” and that he “by no means meant to offend anybody”, however didn’t present a full apology.
The Pink Bull driver was not sanctioned by the FIA or his staff over the matter, which prompted Mongolia’s Ambassador to the UN to demand a full apology.
Tsunoda and an RB staff consultant have been summoned to seem earlier than the Austrian GP stewards at 8pm native time on the Pink Bull Ring.