Red Bull Hit With €50,000 Fine for Grid Shenanigans at US GP – Because Formula 1 Needed More Drama

Max Verstappen may have cruised to victory at the United States Grand Prix, but Red Bull’s weekend wasn’t entirely smooth sailing. The Milton Keynes squad found themselves on the wrong side of the FIA stewards, slapped with a €50,000 fine for what can only be described as some questionable grid behavior. Half of that fine is suspended, because apparently good behavior gets you a discount in Formula 1.

What Actually Went Down on the Grid?

Picture this: It’s race day in Austin, Texas. The formation lap is about to begin, marshals are clearing the grid, and everyone’s supposed to be heading back to the pit lane. Standard pre-race procedure, right? Well, not if you’re Red Bull.

According to the stewards’ report, a Red Bull team member decided the 30-second board was more of a suggestion than a rule. This individual casually strolled back onto the grid near Lando Norris‘s second-place starting position—right as marshals were trying to close the access gates. The reason? They wanted to remove a piece of tape McLaren had placed on the grid to help Norris line up his car properly.

Yes, you read that correctly. Someone from Red Bull allegedly walked back onto an active grid to remove Lando’s parking guide. It’s like showing up to a friend’s house and rearranging their furniture before they get home—except with million-dollar race cars and international sporting regulations.

The Tape Conspiracy Nobody Asked For

McLaren has a well-known practice of placing guide tape on the grid for Norris. Given the limited visibility from inside an F1 cockpit, this tape helps him position his car optimally. It’s a common practice, perfectly legal, and frankly pretty smart.

But according to BBC reports, this Red Bull team member wasn’t having it. Despite marshals actively trying to stop them, the individual entered the gate well area and removed the tape. When questioned by stewards, Red Bull’s representative claimed the team member “wasn’t aware” of the marshals’ efforts to prevent the grid breach.

The stewards weren’t buying it. Their response? A €50,000 fine, with €25,000 suspended on the condition that Red Bull doesn’t pull a similar stunt for the rest of the 2025 season. It’s basically Formula 1’s version of “one more strike and you’re grounded.”

Red Bull’s Take: “We Can Do Better”

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies addressed the situation with the kind of diplomatic language you’d expect from someone trying to downplay an awkward incident. Speaking to Sky Sports before the stewards handed down their verdict, Mekies said:

“We went to see the video with the FIA. Sure, it’s something we can do better in the future, but certainly on our side we do not feel that we have ignored any instructions and we did not get any specific instructions. So I think it’s very small things, but nonetheless something we will address in the future.”

Translation: “Yeah, it happened, but let’s not make a big deal out of it.” To be fair, Mekies has a point—it’s not exactly the crime of the century. But when you’re Red Bull, and you’re in the middle of a championship battle with McLaren, even “small things” get amplified under the scrutiny of fans, media, and rival teams.

Was This Red Bull’s First Rodeo?

Here’s where things get spicy. According to paddock whispers reported by multiple sources, this wasn’t the first time Red Bull had attempted to interfere with Norris’s grid tape. If true, it suggests a pattern of behavior rather than an isolated incident. The difference this time? They got caught, and the stewards decided enough was enough.

The FIA has been cracking down on procedural violations this season, and this incident fits perfectly into their zero-tolerance approach. Whether you think the fine is justified or overkill probably depends on which team you support. McLaren fans? Vindication. Red Bull supporters? Much ado about nothing.

The Championship Context Nobody’s Ignoring

Let’s zoom out for a second. Max Verstappen‘s dominant performance at COTA reduced his championship deficit to just 40 points with five race weekends remaining—two of which include sprint races. Red Bull is clawing its way back into contention, and tensions are running high.

When you’re locked in a title fight this intense, every little advantage matters. Did Red Bull’s grid antics impact the race outcome? Probably not—Verstappen started on pole and dominated from lights to flag, while Norris finished second. But the optics aren’t great, and in a sport where perception matters almost as much as performance, this fine adds an unnecessary asterisk to an otherwise stellar weekend.

What This Means for the Rest of the Season

The suspended portion of the fine is the real kicker here. Red Bull now has a target on its back for the remaining races. One more grid violation, one more questionable procedural breach, and they’ll be writing a check for the full amount. It’s a warning shot from the FIA, and you can bet Red Bull’s legal and compliance teams are circling every regulation in the rulebook with a highlighter.

Meanwhile, McLaren and the rest of the grid are probably enjoying the schadenfreude. After all, when you’re battling Red Bull for supremacy, watching them fumble even minor procedural details is satisfying in its own way.

The Bigger Picture: Grid Drama in Formula 1

This incident highlights something fascinating about modern Formula 1: the sport has become so competitive that teams will exploit—or allegedly interfere with—even the smallest details. Grid positioning matters. Tape matters. Everything matters when you’re fighting for tenths of a second and championship points.

The FIA’s decision to fine Red Bull sends a clear message: follow the rules, or pay the price. Whether that message actually changes behavior remains to be seen, but at least the stewards are being consistent in their enforcement.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, Red Bull walked away from Austin with a race victory, crucial championship points, and a €25,000 fine (with another €25,000 hanging over their heads). Was it worth it? From a sporting perspective, absolutely. From a PR standpoint? Maybe not so much.

The 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic in recent memory, and we’re here for every controversial moment. As the championship battle intensifies over the next five races, you can bet we’ll be watching Red Bull’s grid behavior just as closely as their lap times.

Stay tuned—something tells us this won’t be the last time Red Bull makes headlines before the season ends.