Red Bull's Tape Gate: Mekies Pledges 'Control' After McLaren Drama

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has addressed the 'tape incident' at the United States Grand Prix, assuring that future gamesmanship between his team and McLaren will be kept 'under control.' This comes after Red Bull was fined for attempting to remove a tape McLaren had placed on the grid for Lando Norris. Mekies acknowledges that such tactics are part of F1's history but admits this particular instance 'got out of hand.'

Why it matters:

The 'tape gate' incident at COTA highlighted the intense, sometimes petty, rivalry between F1 teams. While seemingly minor, such actions underscore the fierce competition for every conceivable advantage, even if it means disrupting a competitor's routine. Mekies's statement is an attempt to de-escalate what could become a distracting side-show.

The Details:

• During the United States Grand Prix, a Red Bull Racing team member was fined €50,000 by the FIA for entering the area of Gate 1 after the formation lap.
• The specific action involved a Red Bull staffer attempting to remove a piece of tape placed on the grid by the McLaren team.
• McLaren's Purpose: The tape was used by Lando Norris as a visual marker to accurately position his car in the grid box before the race start.
• Mekies's Acknowledgment: Laurent Mekies described the situation as 'silly games played by both teams,' acknowledging that while such tactics have historical roots in F1, this instance 'got out of hand.'
  • He further pledged: "We’ll make sure that it doesn’t go too far next time. I’m sure we’ll keep it under control."
• Norris's Reaction: Lando Norris found humor in the incident, calling it 'extra funny.' He also downplayed the tape's importance, stating he didn't strictly need it to hit his mark and viewed it as a 'little side quest' for the teams.

Between the lines:

This incident is a classic example of F1's 'unwritten rules' and the psychological warfare that sometimes plays out off-track. While Red Bull's actions were penalized, the broader context points to teams constantly probing for any weakness or distraction they can create for their rivals, even if it's as simple as a piece of tape.

What's next:

Mekies's commitment to 'control' suggests Red Bull will be more cautious in future interactions, aiming to prevent similar incidents from escalating. This might lead to a more restrained approach to such 'gamesmanship' or, conversely, push teams to find more subtle ways to gain an edge without incurring penalties.