F1 News: Yuki Tsunoda Handed Grid Penalty For Dutch GP

Yuki Tsunoda has been handed a three-place grid penalty.

AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda has been handed a three-place grid penalty following the Dutch GP qualifying session earlier today. 

The Japanese driver was found to impede seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton during the session which has resulted in the penalty.

In the official letter from the Stewards, it reads:

"Tsunoda was on the dry racing line at the exit of Turn 13 preparing for his fast lap and had not fully come up to speed and therefore impeded Hamilton. Tsunoda explained that he had been passed by another car and decided to remain slow in order to regain his gap. In the opinion of the Stewards Tsunoda clearly had the ability to stay off the line and therefore this impeding was unnecessary."

Tsunoda had qualified in fourteenth position but will now start the race in Zandvoort from seventeenth on the grid. This penalty benefits Nico Hulkenberg, Zhou Guanyu, and Esteban Ocon who will all move up a grid place. 

Hamilton struggled with traffic and getting the performance out of the Mercedes W14 today and as a result will start the Dutch Grand Prix from thirteenth position. The Stewards also summoned Lance Stroll to discuss him potentially impeding Hamilton, however, they felt that no further action was needed.

Max Verstappen took pole position for his home race and will be joined at the front of the grid by Lando Norris, George Russell, and Alex Albon who will start from second, third and fourth, respectively.