Patryk Stachowiak
Red Bull has been slapped with a £43,000 fine after a team member tried to remove a piece of tape from the pit wall placed by McLaren to help Lando Norris line up correctly on the grid at the US Grand Prix.
The incident, caught on CCTV, happened just before the race started. Norris was lined up in second place behind Max Verstappen, who went on to win. The tape is a common visual aid for drivers to ensure they’re positioned correctly, especially since visibility from the car is limited.
Regulations and Consequences
There’s nothing in the regulations against using tape like this, but there’s also nothing stopping other teams from removing it. However, the Red Bull team member entered the ‘gate well area’ after the formation lap began, against the marshals’ instructions. Entering this area when it’s been cleared for the start is considered an ‘unsafe act’ and carries a hefty fine.
The FIA stewards’ report stated that the Red Bull team member ‘was not aware of the efforts of the marshals to stop him.’ Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies described the incident as a ‘misunderstanding’ after a delayed post-race press conference due to attending the FIA hearing.
A History of Tension
This isn’t the first time Red Bull has attempted to tamper with McLaren’s grid-side markers. McLaren looked into a new way of using the tape at Austin, possibly to avoid future incidents.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess. Teams pushing boundaries, marshals trying to maintain order, and drivers just trying to get the start right. It’s all part of the chaotic charm of Formula 1.