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Alpha Tauri driver Yuki Tsunoda is among many prominent drivers to receive a grid-penalty including reigning world champion Max Verstappen at the Italian Grand Prix. The Japanese driver will be having an unusual distinction at the back-grid by becoming the first Formula 1 driver to be slapped with a 10-place grid penalty for amassing five reprimand so far in 2022 season.

Tsunoda's fifth offence was slapped after he was driving with his seatbelts loosened during the Dutch Grand Prix but the disgruntled driver felt that minor offences being inconsistently policed as F1’s new officiating regime settled in. At the Dutch Grand Prix he had stopped on track thinking a wheel was loosely attached undoing his seatbelts in order to get out of his car.

Despite his team told him that the car was safe to continue, he drove back to the pits in an unsafe condition. As per the F1 sporting regulations, receiving five reprimands and four of them for driving offences during a season triggers an automatic 10-place grid drop.

Speaking on Thursday, Tsunoda said that it was a shame he got hit with another reprimand in the Netherland and was highly disappointed that most of his reprimands were issued for offences in free practice sessions. 

"It's a shame that I got reprimanded. The situation, I could not control it much. Most of the reprimands I got was the first half of the season when most of the time were free practice traffic things and the rule was also not even settled. It's not ideal for of course, but anyway, it is what it is. And at least I can reset those reprimands for the second half," said Tsunoda. 

He further stated that upcoming race is going to be a difficult one but claimed that there are some opportunities as many prominent drivers are starting from the back of the grid.