F1 grid reduced to 18 as another driver drops out

Topher Smith
Sunday 27 March 2022 17:39 - Updated: 17:43

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will now be contested by 18 drivers after Yuki Tsunoda broke down on the way to the grid.

Tsunoda was on his reconnaissance lap en route to his P19 grid slot when he reported engine issues over the radio before coming to a stop on track while stuck in third gear.

The Japanese driver also encountered reliability issues in qualifying and failed to set a time.

After Mick Schumacher was ruled out of Sunday's race following his monster shunt during Q2, Tsunoda is the second driver not to line up on the grid.

This leaves the AlphaTauri team with a sole representative in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as Pierre Gasly lines up ninth on the grid.

"I don't know exactly what happened but it looked like something in the drivetrain. We stopped the car and he cannot race," said AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost.

Sergio Perez will head the field away from pole position when the lights go out in Jeddah.

unfortunately @yukitsunoda07 will not take part in today’s race.

the team is currently investigating the issue which caused him to stop on track. pic.twitter.com/LXcKWZILLB

— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) March 27, 2022