During the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda threw everything at holding up Lando Norris to protect Max Verstappen’s fading title hopes, but his desperate weaving defence backfired spectacularly. Norris, needing only a podium to seal his maiden championship, found himself forced wide and onto the runoff while trying to pass the Japanese driver for third place.
Red Bull’s instructions were crystal clear over team radio: “When Norris catches up, give it your all.” Tsunoda did exactly that, changing direction more than once and leaving Norris with nowhere to go. Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle was furious on air, calling it “absolutely against the regulations” and predicting a swift stewards’ investigation.
The stewards didn’t hesitate. Within minutes Tsunoda was slapped with a five-second penalty for making more than one defensive move, while Norris escaped any punishment for completing the pass off-track. McLaren engineer Will Joseph couldn’t contain his glee on the radio, branding the whole episode “classic Red Bull s***housery” as they immediately lodged their protest.
Tsunoda, in his final race before being dropped by Red Bull for 2026, was left stunned when told about the penalty, yelling “What penalty, bro?!” over the radio. The time drop cost him several positions and effectively ended any chance of helping Verstappen keep the championship fight alive.
With Norris cruising home on the podium and Verstappen unable to capitalise, the incident became the perfect symbol of Red Bull’s last-ditch, rule-bending desperation, and McLaren’s gleeful last laugh on their way to the title.
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