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Fine for Tsunoda after incident in FP2: 'I Forgot'
The AlphaTauri driver forgot to press the speed limiter in the pit lane

Fine for Tsunoda after incident in FP2: 'I Forgot'

26-05-2023 18:52 Last update: 20:41
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Toby McLuskie

Yuki Tsunoda did not have a great first day in Monaco with his AlphaTauri-team. The Japanese did not get beyond a 16th place during the second free practice, briefly hit the barrier - and he himself reported damage over the radio - and then he also drove too fast in the pit lane.

Between the first and second free practice sessions, race officials came out with an update to the rules for this weekend. This included that the speed limit in the pit lane had been reduced to 60 kilometres per hour. However, Tsunoda drove his AlphaTauri with a blistering 72.2 kilometres per hour in the pitlane. After the session, the stewards argued that 16 kilometres over the limit was a bit too much.

Speed limiter not pressed

Tsunoda, who should have reported to race control, acknowledged this to the stewards. He admitted not pressing the speed limiter when driving through the pit lane. Excuses were not to help: Tsunoda received a €1,000 fine for his offence.

The Japanese driver from Red Bull Racing's sister team was not the only one who had driven too fast in the pit lane during the second free practice session. George Russell was also fined. The Mercedes driver had to deduct 100 euros for speeding 0.2 kilometres per hour.