Lando Norris mocks Red Bull for failed tape removal attempt
Lando Norris, McLaren driver, reacted with humor to Red Bull’s attempts to remove the tape he used as a visual reference on the pit wall during the United States Grand Prix. The tape, placed by the McLaren team, served to support the marks on the grid to ensure that Norris’ car did not position itself too far forward, thus avoiding possible penalties. In the United States Grand Prix, the FIA sanctioned Red Bull with a fine of 50,000 euros, of which half was suspended, after one of its mechanics tried to re-enter the grid once the formation lap had started to remove tape.
Norris revealed that Red Bull mechanics had already managed to remove the tape in previous races, which led McLaren to take measures to make its removal more difficult, such as making cuts in the tape or adding additional layers. The British driver explained that the tape is a backup, as he usually uses the yellow line painted next to the grid position. The news of the incident in Austin came after five races in which Max Verstappen, of Red Bull, reduced the distance with Norris and his teammate, Oscar Piastri, in the fight for the championship, adding tension to the rivalry between both teams. Verstappen, when asked about the actions of the mechanic, pointed out that the fine was not for removing the tape, but for being on the grid after receiving instructions to leave.“Good job on their part. It didn’t matter, I didn’t use the tape, so it was very funny, because I didn’t even need it. We put it on just in case. So it was very funny, because they got a penalty and I didn’t even need it. They also tried to remove it and failed, because we made it special, so they couldn’t even remove it. So it was funny. Little side missions, I guess, to keep the teams entertained. But yeah, we were the ones laughing”.
Lando Norris
