The incident was spotted by fans on social media and the matter has been reported to FIA officials.
They are now assessing if it should be referred to the stewards – in a similar manner to how an on-track clash is first noted and assessed by race control before the matter is referred to event stewards.
The rule in question is Article 12.2.1.f of the FIA’s International Sporting Code.
This states that a competitor will be deemed to be in breach of the rules if there are “any words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers, and more generally on the interest of motorsport and on the values defended by the FIA”.
ISC Article 12.2.1.m – which covers “any public incitement to violence or hatred” – may also apply to this situation.
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Verstappen later said “I don’t say that the words I chose were the right ones” and that he “never intended to offend anyone”, but did not provide a full apology.
The Red Bull driver was not sanctioned by the FIA or his team over the matter.
If Tsunoda’s comments are deemed to be worthy of full investigation, he will be summoned to explain himself to the stewards, who would then set out any punishment.