- Yuki Tsunoda used a slur against disabled people while speaking on team radio
- The 24-year-old was later hauled in front of race stewards and fined £33,900
- He issued a social media apology and said he did not use the word intentionally
Japanese Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda has been fined over £30,000 for using an offensive comment directed at a rival during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix.
RB driver Tsunoda, 24, used a slur against disabled people after an incident involving Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu and was later summoned before race stewards.
According to the stewards, Tsunoda had voiced his frustration at queuing in the pitlane during yesterday’s second session, saying ‘these guys are f****** r******’.
This led to him being hauled in front of the panel for a potential breach of the misconduct rules laid out in the FIA’s International Sporting Code.
Footage of the moment he used the slur quickly circulated on social media.
Japanese F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda has been fined after using an offensive slur toward a rival
Tsunoda was heard using the word ‘r*******’ over radio during Austrian Grand Prix qualifying
Tsunoda told stewards he did not realise what the term meant in English, which is not his first language, and said he was ‘horrified’ when he found out.
‘During the hearing the driver was very apologetic,’ an FIA statement said.
‘He contended that his understanding of the words was different, but acknowledged that this should not be considered as an excuse for what he did.
‘The stewards appreciate the honesty of the driver but reinforce the fact the words used are offensive and wholly inappropriate.’
The stewards took into account Tsunoda’s ‘genuine remorse and his offer to issue a public apology’ and suspended half of the fine until the end of the season.
He was hauled in front of the stewards and later issued an apologetic statement on X
Tsunoda told stewards he had not realised what the ableist term meant in English
‘Hello, I wanted to say big apologies what I said in the radio today,’ Tsunoda said in a brief statement on X, formerly Twitter. ‘Obviously I didn’t use it intentionally and was completely misunderstanding from myself that exact meaning of it.
‘I now have better understanding for what the word means and am very apologetic for what I said.
‘This type of language has no place and is not tolerated and for that I am sorry.’
Tsunoda will start today’s race in 14th position. He is 10th in the drivers’ standings.
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