‘I don’t know what they wanted me to do’ – Tsunoda left unhappy with 10-place grid penalty in Canada

Yuki Tsunoda has questioned the decision by the Canadian Grand Prix stewards to award him a 10-place grid penalty for a red flag infringement, claiming «I don’t know what they wanted me to do».

The Red Bull driver was hauled in front of the stewards on Saturday after passing Oscar Piastri’s damaged McLaren during a red flag period in FP3.

WATCH: Piastri brings out red flags in FP3 after hitting Wall of Champions in Canada

Piastri had caused the stoppage after hitting the Wall of Champions, which damaged the right-rear tyre as debris was strewn across the track on his way back to the pits.

Tsunoda came across the damaged McLaren on the back straight and passed Piastri, but was summoned to the stewards after the session for his actions.

2025 Canadian GP FP3: Tsunoda handed grid drop for passing under red flags in final practice

Despite acknowledging that Tsunoda had been wary of being hit by debris, the stewards deemed «there was no justifiable reason» for the Japanese driver to overtake and handed him the same penalty given to Haas’ Ollie Bearman for the same offence in Monaco.

«The 10-place grid penalty came out of nowhere to be honest, I didn’t even expect to be summoned for that,» said Tsunoda following Qualifying in Montreal, where his P11 finish will see him start the Grand Prix at the back of the grid.

«I don’t know what they wanted me to do. Oscar had massive damage in the last corner, I saw him in the back straight driving 80kph, very slow. He was spraying debris everywhere and I saw even the tyre was going sideways so I thought if I keep driving behind, at one point the tyre is going to come off and hit me. You want to avoid that and it’s a very unnecessary situation.

«In the end, he was driving on the far left to obviously avoid causing issues with other drivers which I think he did a very good job and that’s why I went far right, with a clear view.

«I obviously checked there was no car in front, car behind, and I overtook him 170kph which is like half the speed we normally drive to avoid an unnecessary situation.

‘I don’t know what they wanted me to do’ – Tsunoda not happy with grid penalty in Montreal

«But apparently that’s not allowed, apparently they expect me to sit behind a car and wait to get hit. I don’t think I deserve this penalty because debris was all over the place, not just the last corner. I don’t know what they want me to do to be honest. It’s frustrating.»

Now facing a back-of-the-grid start for the Canadian Grand Prix, Tsunoda explained he still needed time to feel confident in his Red Bull machine.

«I don’t have that confidence and trust yet, it will come but not yet,» added Tsunoda about his Qualifying performance.

«Obviously I’m not happy with P11. I think the balance was pretty good, the team did a fantastic job to support me in those areas but I just need time, especially having that issue in FP3 didn’t help much.»