The discussions surrounding various incidents in Austin were the focal points on Thursday during the Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix.
Here’s what we gathered from our conversations with the drivers and teams.
An Entertaining Tape Incident with Norris
During last weekend’s United States GP, Red Bull faced a €50k fine, half of which was suspended, due to a team member neglecting the orders of pit marshals before the formation lap.
Red Bull aimed to interfere with the tape used by McLaren and Lando Norris to ensure he parked his car correctly in the grid box. However, Norris revealed in Mexico that he didn’t actually need the tape at all.
“We just put it there as a precaution,” he remarked, finding humor in the situation since their penalty was unnecessary. Although tapping into the tape was seen as unsporting by some, it wasn’t against any F1 regulations. Norris responded lightheartedly to the entire episode, noting that McLaren even placed an additional layer of tape with a cheeky message that read “better luck next time.”
Moving On from Mischief
While McLaren plans to continue using the tape for Norris, it appears the playful antics are coming to an end. Team principals Andrea Stella and Laurent Mekies have communicated about the issue following this week.
Although viewed as harmless rivalry, both parties want to avoid further escalation, especially as tensions rise with the championship nearing its conclusion. They are keen to ensure that relationships don’t worsen, particularly since this incident has already led to a breach of rules that could have delayed the race start.
Norris Avoids Penalty After Piastri Crash
The two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, now have a “clean slate” for the rest of the season after Piastri accepted “some responsibility” for their crash in the United States Grand Prix sprint race.
This favorable outcome ends the brief controversy surrounding Norris’s potential consequences from an earlier incident involving Piastri in Singapore. An internal review concluded that Piastri needed to exercise more caution during the maneuver that resulted in a multi-car crash.
Moving forward, McLaren is back to regular collaboration between Norris and Piastri, ready to face the looming challenge posed by Max Verstappen.
Resolution: Alpine Team Orders Dispute
Franco Colapinto’s disregard for team orders, when he overtook Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly, sparked a significant response from team management following the United States Grand Prix. Colapinto remarked on the discussions that resolved the issue, acknowledging he should have followed the orders.
While both drivers claimed that the matter was settled, Gasly highlighted the confusion surrounding Colapinto’s actions and whether they align with team objectives during a competitive season.
Concerns Over Penalties: Carlos Sainz Speaks Out
Carlos Sainz expressed his frustration regarding the five-place grid drop he received after colliding with Kimi Antonelli in Austin. He feels the punishment doesn’t fit the severity of the incident and criticizes the inconsistency in steward decisions.
Sainz emphasized the need for stewards to apply guidelines more thoughtfully, suggesting that current practices may not effectively consider the context of incidents on track.
Verstappen’s Title Challenge: A New Perspective
Max Verstappen not only benefits from a faster Red Bull during this title chase but has also gained the ability to customize his setup more to his liking. Following various upgrades, Verstappen now runs the car in a configuration that boosts his confidence and performance on track.
In Mexico, he shared that this flexibility has enhanced his performance, adding a competitive edge as he finds himself in an unexpected title challenge. With pressure mounting, he looks to maintain focus and avoid any mistakes as he strives for success.
