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ALL SMILES AGAIN, VERSTAPPEN & NORRIS DEFUSE TAPE-GATE TENSION

Tensions flare in F1 as Red Bull is fined for removing a McLaren pitwall marker. The incident sparks a sportsmanship debate, while Lando Norris and Max Verstappen battle for the championship lead.

All Smiles Again, Verstappen & Norris Defuse Tape-Gate Tension
F1 Stars Verstappen, Norris Cool the Heat After Tape-Gate - COURTESY/PHOTO

After one of Red Bull's mechanics disregarded marshals and tore off a piece of tape McLaren had affixed to the pit wall to indicate Lando Norris' grid position, the company was punished. Since then, paddock conversation has mostly focused on issues related to sportsmanship.

Verstappen advised anyone in need of such tape to utilise it. I do not require it.

Carlos Sainz of Williams, who was formerly a member of the Red Bull family, was less understanding. The Spaniard stated, "Clearly, someone perceived a competitive edge and tried to take that away from him."

I will not make headlines here, but I am aware of sports ideals and what I would do if it were me and my team.

On his side, Norris maintains that he only noticed the humour.

"Watching them try and fail to remove it was very funny," he said to Bild. We hung it on the wall as a precaution, even though I did not need it.

The McLaren driver disclosed that they have attempted to remove it previously. That is why we built it so durably, akin to the permanent Formula 1 parking stickers that you can put on your windscreen.

Verstappen's late-season breakthrough in the championship is far more urgent for McLaren. Oscar Piastri revealed that internal repercussions for Norris have been lifted following arguments and finger-pointing in Austin and Singapore.

Piastri stated, "I believe I have some responsibility in the (Austin) sprint." This weekend is a fresh start for us both; we are just going out and competing to see who can win.

Both McLaren drivers are now within striking distance of Verstappen, who maintains that he is handling the run-in calmly.

"We are not very anxious about it," he remarked. All we want to do is have fun and make the most of it till the very end. Fantastic if it works. Even if it doesn't, we can still take great pride in the improvement in our performance.

Additionally, he dismissed Red Bull adviser Dr Helmut Marko's assertion that Verstappen alone has gained two tenths of his speed due to the excitement of the chase.

"No," Verstappen answered, "I disagree with that." Attending race weekends like these is more enjoyable than knowing you have little chance of winning. However, while I am in the automobile, I always strive to make the most of everything.

Verstappen dismissed Marko's additional suggestion that he might be putting his new GT3 racing project on hold to concentrate on Formula One.

He said that it had been arranged long ago. It was only the first chance. My approach to racing weekends has not really altered in terms of professionalism.

Verstappen's title odds are now as high as 40% according to bookmakers, but Laurent Mekies, the manager of the Red Bull team, is not interested in statistics. "These types of computations are not what we do," he stated. It really is that easy.

Fernando Alonso disputes Mercedes manager Toto Wolff's assertion that Verstappen has the psychological edge as the hunter. The Spaniard told reporters, "I do not think so."

"In a second, the championship might alter drastically. Max would not be able to compete for the title again if Lando won a race by 30 seconds.

Without a doubt, Max is driving incredibly well, but in the end, the car will determine the world champion.

OSCAR PIASTRI VS LANDO NORRIS: MCLAREN EXTENDS EQUAL RACING POLICY DESPITE F1 CRITICISM

Despite past criticism, McLaren CEO Zak Brown confirms the "papaya rules" of driver equality will remain for F1 2026, backing the policy that secured their double title.

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McLaren Keeps Fair Policy for F1 2026

McLaren CEO Zak Brown hinted that the team will keep its papaya rules between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the F1 2026 season.

This season, McLaren got their first drivers' and constructors' title double since 1998, keeping the teams' championship with six races left.

The team had to wait until the final race in Abu Dhabi to get the drivers' title, with Norris beating Red Bull's Max Verstappen by two points.

Norris's win made him the 11th British world champion and the first McLaren driver to win the title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.

McLaren had a policy of total fairness during the F1 2025 season, not supporting one driver over the other, even though Norris and Piastri both had good point advantages during the season.

The team's approach was often criticised, especially after the race in Qatar, where Piastri and Norris didn't pit under an early safety car.

At the time, Piastri and Norris were in first and third place, but they ended up finishing second and fourth after missing a free pit stop, while Verstappen won the race.

At the FIA's prize-giving gala on Friday, Brown said he was happy about Qatar and how McLaren won both titles by being fair to Norris and Piastri.

He also said that the policy would continue next season, saying it’s exactly what we plan to do in F1 2026.

He said, “A great season.

“Everyone at McLaren has done a great job, led by our two drivers.

“And thanks to the job Andrea has done leading our team.

“To go into the final race with two drivers fighting for the world championship, when everyone said that it was impossible, I’m just very proud of how McLaren went racing, and that’s what we plan to do next year.”

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said, “The drivers are the ones who do the job.

“They are the ones that deliver the results, the points, the wins, and the podiums, which made us the constructors’ champions.

“We are also very aware of how the drivers acted, allowing McLaren to go racing.

“That’s what we do—we go racing—and we did it with equality and fairness, so thank you to Lando and Oscar.”

NO IMPACT: HELMUT MARKO CONFIDENT MAX VERSTAPPEN SUCCESS WILL CONTINUE WITHOUT MENTOR

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko confirms his retirement, stating that four-time champion Max Verstappen is now independent and doesn't need his guidance.

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Marko Confirms Red Bull Exit After F1 Title Heartbreak

Helmut Marko, Red Bull's motorsport advisor, is sure Max Verstappen will be fine without him. He said his leaving won't have any negative effect on the Dutch driver.

After more than 20 years with Red Bull, Marko announced he would leave. The announcement came after the Abu Dhabi GP, which closed the season.

Marko, at 82, has seen it all in Formula 1. He says he still has the energy to keep going if he wants to.

Marko had thought about retiring if Verstappen tied the record with a fifth straight driver's title. But since Lando Norris beat the 28-year-old, he thinks now is still the right time to leave.

"I still have energy, but that's not the point," Marko told oe24. The point is to keep my enthusiasm and passion for the job. That's what I planned if we won the title.

Since we didn't win, I changed my mind and thought it should still apply now. You have to know when it's time to stop. I was the one in charge.

Marko and Verstappen had a strong relationship. However, the four-time world champion couldn't make a planned meal with Marko.

Max couldn't come to the dinner because of flight issues, Marko said. But we'll meet soon. I don't know if it will happen before Christmas.

Since Verstappen started in Formula 1, Marko has always been there to support him.

They became a strong pair. Marko knows that the Red Bull star doesn't need him anymore.

Things change, so you have to react differently. No one left here because of a fight. Max is old enough now, and he doesn't need anyone to explain things to him. Max is great—he doesn't need anyone.

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