Tsunoda, Imola GP veered off course following a serious accident in qualifying
The 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix will see Yuki Tsunoda begin from the pit lane, a direct consequence of a harrowing crash during Saturday’s qualifying session. The Red Bull Racing driver lost control at Turn 6 and smashed into the barriers in a dramatic accident that sent his car airborne, eventually landing upside down. Fortunately, the Japanese driver emerged from the wreckage under his own power and later cleared all medical checks.
Tsunoda’s violent crash and aftermath
Tsunoda’s crash was one of the most shocking moments of the weekend so far, with marshals rushing to his aid after his car violently struck the barriers. The impact was strong enough to damage the survival cell—the central protective monocoque structure of the car. Although Tsunoda showed resilience by walking away, the RB21 chassis could not say the same. Red Bull engineers were forced to change not only the entire power unit but also install a replacement survival cell.
In normal circumstances, a change of power unit components results in a grid penalty. However, when different specifications are involved in the survival cell, FIA regulations mandate a pit lane start for safety and compliance reasons.
FIA rules force pit lane start
Per the current FIA regulations, the use of a different-spec survival cell, even if structurally identical, constitutes a technical non-conformity when compared to the car’s homologated configuration. While Red Bull worked around the clock to rebuild Tsunoda’s car, the team confirmed that the repairs involved parts that deviated from the initial configuration, triggering the automatic penalty.
The stewards made it official on Sunday morning: Yuki Tsunoda will not be lining up on the grid, but rather, will start from the pit lane as the lights go out at Imola.
Resilience from Tsunoda, but a tough Sunday ahead
The accident was undoubtedly a blow to Tsunoda’s momentum this season. While he has shown flashes of brilliance and maturity through the early stages of the campaign, Sunday’s race will now be a test of patience and strategy. Starting from the pit lane puts him at an immediate disadvantage—not just positionally, but also tactically, as he will need to weave through traffic and time any pit stops to perfection.
“I feel fine, just a bit sore,” Tsunoda told reporters in the paddock. “I’m grateful for the safety of these cars. It was a big one, but I trust the team to get the car ready. We’ll do our best tomorrow.”
Verstappen to start from second, Piastri on pole
While Tsunoda deals with the fallout of his accident, his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen will start from the front row, having secured P2 on the grid. The pole position belongs to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who put together a stunning lap late in Q3 to snatch top spot from the reigning World Champion.
The stage is now set for an intense battle at Imola, with McLaren looking increasingly like a credible challenger to Red Bull’s recent dominance. However, all eyes will be on Tsunoda’s recovery drive from the pit lane—a daunting task, but one that could define his resilience and racecraft.
What to expect on race day
The Imola circuit, tight and technical, doesn’t traditionally offer many overtaking opportunities. For Tsunoda, that means he will likely need to rely on an aggressive strategy, undercuts, and perhaps a timely safety car to work his way up the field.
The weather forecast is dry but cool, which could favor teams that are efficient with tire warm-up—something Red Bull typically excels at. Tsunoda’s challenge, however, is unique: navigating from the very back in a race where passing is premium.
A long road ahead
The silver lining for Tsunoda is that he remains in good health, and with 23 races on the calendar, there’s plenty of time to recover from this weekend’s setback. With support from the Red Bull garage and a fighting spirit that’s never in question, expect the Japanese driver to make the most of what looks like an uphill battle.
As fans return to the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, all attention will not only be on the front of the pack but also on the pit lane, where one of the most dramatic stories of the weekend continues to unfold.
