AlphaTauri use duct tape to fix Yuki Tsunoda's rear wing tape mid-race in Baku

Tsunoda's AT03 had a shattered back wing in the middle, prompting the stewards to issue a black and yellow flag.

AlphaTauri using duct tape on Tsunoda's car. (Image: Twitter)
By Nilavro Ghosh | Jun 13, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Yuki Tsunoda appeared to be on track to finish in the top ten in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but a peculiar ‘event’ saw the Japanese driver finish 13th and his car ‘repaired’ with duct tape. Tsunoda’s AT03 had a shattered back wing in the middle, prompting the stewards to issue a black and yellow flag, indicating that the racer had to return to the pits with ‘mechanical issues or loose bodywork,’ potentially ending his race. The AlphaTauri approach was to ask Tsunoda not to use the DRS for the rest of the race, but the stewards demanded “action.” Tsunoda continued racing when the engineers chose to ‘repair’ the problem with duct tape.

According to Karun Chandhok of Sky, FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer “stomped” down the pits to speak with AlpaTauri when they taped Yuki Tsunoda’s wing. Bauer allegedly approached Alpha Taurio as Tsunoda departed the pits with thick grey tape covering his DRS flap. “I tell you what, Jo Bauer from the FIA has come stomping down the pitlane. Jo Bauer unfortunately got here about five seconds too late and the car had already skidded off. This may not be something the FIA are particularly happy with,” he said.

Double DNF for Ferrari in Baku

After Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz retired from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen led a Red Bull one-two, with Mercedes’ George Russell finishing third. Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc lost the lead at the start, but reclaimed it when Max Verstappen of Red Bull pitted on Lap 19. Leclerc’s race ended in a plume of smoke one lap later, as he limped back to the pits to withdraw. Ferrari’s second retirement of the race follows Carlos Sainz’s stop on Lap 9 due to a hydraulic malfunction.

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Lewis Hamilton, teammate and Driver of the Day, began seventh and finished fourth after pitting during the VSC on lap 10 and the following one on lap 34, passing Pierre Gasly with the benefit of newer tyres 10 laps later. After starting sixth, the AlphaTauri driver finished fifth. Sebastian Vettel finished sixth for Aston Martin after starting on medium tyres, pitted during the first VSC, and finishing on hard tyres. Fernando Alonso of Alpine began 10th but moved up to seventh after starting on medium tyres and going long on his first stint before pitting after 18 laps to finish on hard tyres and beat both McLarens to P7.

Daniel Ricciardo finished eighth after starting on the hards and leapfrogging Lando Norris (P9). Esteban Ocon, who started 13th on hard tyres and took the final point for Alpine, rounded out the top ten. Valtteri Bottas, the Alfa Romeo driver who started on hard tyres and pitted during the second VSC of the race, missed out on points in P11.