Visa Cash RB fined for Yuki Tsunoda's pre-race infringement

The Visa Cash RB team have been fined after their Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda was late for the National Anthem that preceeded yesterday's Canadian Grand Prix.

The FIA stewards received a report from the Media Delegate that Yuki Tsunoda was late for the National Anthem that had been performed fifteen minutes ahead of yesterday's Canadian Grand Prix.

The stewards launched an investigation into the incident, reviewing video evidence, and came to the conclusion that Tsunoda was indeed late for the anthem.

During the hearing, the Faenza-based outfit conceded that they failed to inform Tsunoda about the timing, but the stewards noted that the Japanese driver "took every reasonable effort" to attend the National Anthem after the delay.

As a result, the Visa Cash RB outfit has been fined EUR10000 for the incident.

The stewards' verdict read: "The Stewards received a report from the Media Delegate that the driver of Car 22 (Yuki Tsunoda) was late for the National Anthem. The Stewards reviewed video evidence and determined that the driver was indeed late for the anthem.

"The team stated that they failed to inform the driver about the timing adequately and therefore caused the delay, but it is also the responsibility of the driver to arrive in time. It is noted that the driver, once made aware of his mistake, took every reasonable effort to attend the National Anthem as soon as possible.

"The Stewards acknowledge that attending the National Anthem is an important element of the pre-race procedures and a sign of respect for the host country of the event.

"The Stewards note that the precedents are implying a less severe penalty (reprimand), but feel that escalating the penalty to a fine is appropriate."