Daniel Ricciardo‘s 24-year-old foul-mouthed RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda has been slapped with a massive fine for using an ableist slur during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix.
As cars headed onto the track to complete the final runs in the first part of qualifying, Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu pushed into traffic as Tsunoda trundled down pit lane.
Tsunoda, who has a reputation of blowing up on team radio, did so again and quipped: “these guys are f—ing r—-ded”.
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He was summonsed to see the stewards after the session for a breach of the international sporting code, and fined $64,000 of which half is suspended for the remainder of the season.
The stewards noted in their final report the Japanese driver was “very apologetic” and that he wasn’t fully aware of the slur’s meaning in English.
“He said he was horrified when he learned this,” the stewards report read.
“He contended that his understanding of the of the words was different, but acknowledged that this should not be considered as an excuse for what he did.
“The stewards appreciate the honesty of the driver, but reinforce the fact the words used are offensive and wholly inappropriate.”
The report went on to say Tsunoda’s “genuine remorse” was taken into account when settling on the fine.
Tsunoda later took to Instagram to apologise.
“I wanted to say big apologies what I said in the radio today,” he said.
“Obviously I didn’t use it intentionally and was completely misunderstanding from myself that exact meaning of it.
“I now have better understanding for what the word means and am very apologetic for what I said.
“This type of language was no place and is not tolerated and for that I am sorry.”
Tsunoda will start Sunday night’s grand prix from 14th on the grid, three spots behind Ricciardo.
The race will begin at 11pm (AEST).