Red Bull concedes Austin grid antics with Norris ‘got out of hand’

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Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has conceded that his team went too far in its mischievous – but costly – attempt to disrupt Lando Norris’ grid start at last weekend’s US Grand Prix, calling time on a string of increasingly cheeky psychological tactics between the top teams.

The controversy erupted after one of Red Bull’s mechanics stepped onto the live grid moments after the formation lap began, to try and remove a strip of placed on the pit wall that served as a visual marker for Norris’ grid position.

The FIA predictably took a dim view of the move, handing Red Bull a €50,000 fine – half of it suspended on the condition that no similar incidents occur in the future.

Mekies acknowledged that the team’s behaviour in Austin was the culmination of a bit of naughty rivalry that had spiralled beyond control.

"I think there have been a bit of silly games being played for a few races between the teams and it probably got out of hand," Mekies told Sky Sports F1. "Moving forward it will be more in control."

Time to Rein in the Antics

While Mekies admitted the team had crossed a line, he also noted that such gamesmanship is hardly new in Formula 1. Mind games, distractions, and small acts of one-upmanship have long been part of the sport’s psychological fabric.

"On one side, you can probably say that (such tactics are) part of F1 history, known or less well known," the Frenchman later told The Athletic.

"But it’s equally fair to say that we acknowledge that it got out of hand, and we’ll make sure that it doesn’t go too far next time."

With the team now vowing to tone down its antics, Mekies’ admission suggests Red Bull is eager to steer the focus back to performance on track rather than pranks in the paddock – a welcome reset after a weekend where the games proved more expensive than entertaining.

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Michael Delaney