P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull caused a stir last weekend in Austin, Texas, when it attempted to remove McLaren grid tape before the start of the race.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has acknowledged the need to reduce their gamesmanship tactics after a recent incident at the US Grand Prix. A Red Bull employee tried to remove grid tape put by McLaren to help Lando Norris line up in his grid box, prompting McLaren to strengthen the tape. The incident resulted in a €50,000 fine for Red Bull, sparking discussions about the limits of gamesmanship in F1. Mekies highlighted that while such tactics have historical precedent, they must ensure they don’t cross the line in the future. He assured that they would exercise better control over such actions going forward. The focus on these tactics has intensified due to Max Verstappen’s positioning in the drivers’ championship, where he is closing in on the leaders.
