Lando Norris at the Circuit of the Americas - Photo: Race Pictures

Norris found Red Bull's failed grid tape removal at COTA 'extra funny'

08:55, 24 Oct

Updated: 10:22, 24 Oct

byLuke-John Buckle

Lando Norris found it funny that Red Bull got fined for trying to remove tape next to his grid slot, in Austin, tape that the Briton explained he didn't need.

"[It] made it extra funny because they got a penalty for it and I didn't even need it."

- Lando Norris

Red Bull attempted to remove some tape next to Norris' grid box last time out at the United States Grand Prix and were fined 50,000 euros, half of which is suspended, because a team member returned to the grid too late.

Norris told the media ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix that the tape wasn't a necessity and Red Bull didn't succeed in removing it.

He said: "Good job by them. They can. [remove the tape] But it didn't matter, I didn't use the tape, so it was extra amusing because I didn't need it, we just put it there in case.

"So, 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 special, so they couldn't take it off, even. So it was just amusing, little side quests, for the teams to entertain themselves. But, we were the ones laughing about it."

Lando Norris in the Singapore paddock - Photo: Race Pictures

Norris gained valuable points on Piastri at COTA

Norris sits second in the world championship standings as the McLaren driver chases his first F1 title.

He is now just 14 points behind the championship leader and teammate Oscar Piastri with five rounds to go.

The gap closed last time out as Norris eventually got past Ferrari's Charles Leclerc as Piastri slumped to a lacklustre fifth place.

Max Verstappen is also a factor in the title battle as he won the United States Grand Prix and is now 40 points off the pace.

Heading into the Mexico City Grand Prix, McLaren will be hoping to get back on form at a track Verstappen has won at a record five times.

Don't miss GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do that. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss new episodes.