The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend has taken an unexpected turn for Yuki Tsunoda and Red Bull Racing, as a critical breach of parc ferme conditions has mandated a pit lane start for the Japanese driver, reshaping the grid just hours before the race.

This significant development stems from Red Bull’s decision to undertake a power unit change on Yuki Tsunoda’s RB21, a move that regrettably violated the strict parc ferme regulations. Such rules are in place to prevent teams from making major modifications to their cars between qualifying and the race, ensuring a level playing field.

The team’s rationale behind this drastic measure appears to be an attempt to resolve persistent issues that plagued Tsunoda’s performance during earlier practice sessions and qualifying. Despite efforts in FP3, a fundamental problem persisted, prompting the team to break parc ferme in a bid to optimize the car’s setup for race day.

Yuki Tsunoda had a challenging qualifying session, only managing to secure 16th place on the grid. While not an ideal starting position, the subsequent power unit change and the resulting Formula 1 penalty mean he will now forfeit his grid slot entirely, beginning the race from the pit lane, a significant setback for his prospects in Hungary.

This pit lane start penalty is a direct consequence of Article 40.9 a) of the 2025 Formula One Sporting Regulations, which explicitly outlines the repercussions for such parc ferme infractions. The F1 regulations are designed to maintain the integrity of the competition and ensure that car specifications are largely locked in after qualifying.

While Red Bull acknowledged the “major issue” and the “back step” taken, the decision to incur a pit lane start highlights the severity of the problem they faced. It underscores a calculated risk taken by the team, hoping that the new engine parts will provide a performance advantage significant enough to overcome the initial disadvantage.

Starting from the pit lane presents a formidable challenge for Yuki Tsunoda, requiring him to navigate through the entire field from the very back. His race strategy will need to be exceptionally well-executed, focusing on clean overtaking and potentially an alternative tire strategy, to salvage any points from the Hungarian Grand Prix.