Two F1 Drivers Face FIA Punishment Threat at Canadian GP

Two Formula 1 drivers are facing possible penalties after incidents during Free Practice 3 at the Canadian Grand Prix. Yuki Tsunoda and Gabriel Bortoleto both came under scrutiny from race officials due to potential red flag rule violations at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

The infractions occurred after Oscar Piastri crashed into the Wall of Champions about 20 minutes into the session, triggering a red flag and leaving debris on the track.

Tsunoda and Bortoleto were first noted by the race director, but their cases were later escalated for full investigation.

The exact nature of the possible rule breaches has not been specified, leaving uncertainty about the outcome. Bortoleto ended up 19th in the session, with Tsunoda behind him in 20th, making them the slowest drivers in FP3.

Lando Norris was fastest in Free Practice 3, followed by Charles Leclerc and George Russell. The session was disrupted when three different drivers, including Piastri, hit the notorious Wall of Champions.

The Canadian Grand Prix has a history of dramatic crashes at this part of the circuit, and this year’s practice showed no exception.

The possibility of stewards taking action against Tsunoda and Bortoleto has raised speculation in the paddock.

Penalties for red flag infringements can impact starting grids or result in fines. As of now, the stewards have not announced any official punishments, so both drivers and teams are awaiting a final decision.

The Canadian Grand Prix is the ninth race on the 2025 Formula 1 calendar and is known for its challenging track layout. After Piastri’s crash, repairs to the barriers and clean-up delayed practice, but teams managed to collect valuable data for qualifying.

Current standings have Oscar Piastri leading the drivers’ championship with 186 points, closely followed by Norris on 176 and Max Verstappen with 137. McLaren sits at the top of the team standings, holding a total of 362 points.

Ferrari is second with 165, while Mercedes follows in third with 159. Red Bull, represented by Verstappen and Tsunoda, currently has 144 points in the team championship.

F1 continues to monitor all drivers for compliance during red flags. The outcome of the investigations into Tsunoda and Bortoleto could affect Saturday’s qualifying line-up.

Teams remain focused on upcoming sessions as anticipation builds ahead of the race in Montreal.

Charles Leclerc and Ferrari’s recent hype adds excitement to the championship battle, while McLaren’s consistent performance remains noteworthy. Meanwhile, Lando Norris continues to impress in practice sessions, positioning himself strongly for the upcoming races.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.