The art of F1 mind games: Red Bull’s controversial move against Lando Norris at COTA. Former F1 engineer Gary Anderson analyzes the Red Bull tape incident at the Austin GP.

F1 | Mind games in F1: the Red Bull tape incident against Lando Norris

Gary Anderson, former Formula 1 engineer and now a respected voice in the paddock, has weighed in on the controversial “Red Bull tape” incident during the formation lap at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. Anderson described the episode as a classic example of “skullduggery,” the clever, sometimes sneaky tactics that are part of F1’s strategic landscape.

During the pre-race procedure, a Red Bull team member allegedly attempted to remove a marker placed by McLaren to help Lando Norris correctly align on the grid. The act immediately sparked criticism and accusations of unsporting behavior, igniting debates across the paddock.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies tried to downplay the incident, calling it a “misunderstanding.” However, Gary Anderson remains skeptical: “These little mind games have always existed, and everyone on the team knows exactly what’s going on. It’s part of the psychological battle in Formula 1.”

Psychological strategies are nothing new

The British engineer explained that incidents like this are not unprecedented. From filter removals to pit lane tricks in the 1990s, to intentional slowdowns and ambiguous maneuvers in the garages, F1 has always been a playground for subtle mental strategies aimed at gaining even the smallest advantage.

“It’s almost impossible to know who is truly cheating or who is simply pushing the limits,” Anderson said. “But one thing is clear: in Formula 1, nothing is left to chance. Every small advantage, even psychological, can be worth points.”

Penalties rather than fines are the solution

According to Gary Anderson, financial fines are not enough to curb these behaviors in the era of massive budgets. Instead, sporting penalties such as point deductions are more effective in deterring teams from engaging in psychological or strategic games that cross the line.

He concluded by reflecting on the competitive nature of the Formula 1 Circus: “The Red Bull tape incident is just the latest chapter in a long story. When a championship is at stake, even the smallest piece of tape can become a mental weapon.”