‘Amusing side quest’: Norris laughs off Red Bull’s grid tape fumble

Lando Norris has laughed off Red Bull’s awkward – and costly – attempt to interfere with his grid preparations at the US Grand Prix, cheekily describing the failed plot as “an amusing side quest” that left McLaren chuckling all the way back to the paddock.

In what sounds more like a deleted scene from F1: The Sitcom than a high-stakes championship battle, Red Bull were fined €50,000 (with half suspended) after a team member was caught trying to remove a strip of tape McLaren had placed on the pitwall to help Norris line up for his P2 grid slot in Austin.

The only problem? Norris didn’t even need the tape.

“It didn't matter; I didn't use the tape, so it was extra amusing because I didn't need it,” Norris told reporters with a grin ahead of this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.

“We just put it there in case, so it made it extra funny because they got a penalty for it and I didn't even need it.

“They also tried to remove it and failed because we made it specially so they couldn't take it off. Just amusing little side quests, I guess for the teams to entertain themselves. But we were the ones laughing about it, I guess.”

The botched bit of grid gamesmanship added an unexpected layer of comedy to an increasingly fierce rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull – two teams locked in both a title battle and, apparently, a war of wits.

Moving Past McLaren Mayhem

While the Red Bull episode provided some light relief, Norris has also been busy putting recent McLaren drama behind him.

Following a pair of intra-team clashes – most recently in Austin’s Sprint race, in which both McLarens retired after Oscar Piastri was hit and crashed into Norris – the Briton says the air has cleared and focus is back on the bigger prize.

• Read also: Red Bull handed hefty fine for formation lap misstep in Austin

“Pretty easy talks, it's good from now on, just looking ahead for the rest of the season. It's what this was before, but it's all always forward,” Norris said.

“I focus on myself do what I've got to do, of course it's better when there's nothing in the way or nothing. That might be a slight disadvantage, which it was before.”

With five races remaining and 141 points still up for grabs, Norris trails teammate Piastri by just 14 points – a gap small enough to keep tensions simmering but large enough to remind both that every move counts.

Still, after Red Bull’s ill-fated grid tape adventure, Norris seems content to keep things light-hearted. If this title fight really is a game, he’s clearly enjoying playing it with a smile – and a laugh at his rivals’ expense.

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