McLaren's motivational grid tape message for Norris revealed after Red Bull fine

McLaren engineers penned a handwritten motivational message on Lando Norris's grid alignment tape ahead of his title-clinching drive at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a gesture that came to light following a significant FIA fine for Red Bull over a separate grid incident earlier in the season.

Why it matters:

This small but poignant detail underscores the intense psychological warfare and meticulous preparation that defined the 2025 championship battle. While Red Bull faced penalties for a procedural safety breach, McLaren focused on fine-tuning their driver's mental state with personalized support, highlighting the multi-faceted approach required to win a modern F1 title.

The details:

• Ahead of the Abu Dhabi finale, Norris's race engineer, Will Joseph, was seen on the grid holding the team's customary alignment tape, which featured a handwritten "You got this" message flanked by two lovehearts.
• The tape also included the term "K2," believed to be a reminder for a specific steering wheel setting adjustment before the race start.
• This tape was at the center of a minor controversy at the United States Grand Prix, where a Red Bull team member attempted to interfere with it after the formation lap had commenced.
• The FIA subsequently fined Red Bull €50,000 (with half suspended) for the safety breach of a person re-entering the grid after the formation lap started, not specifically for the tape interaction, which falls outside current regulations.
• Norris secured his maiden world championship by finishing third in Abu Dhabi, beating race winner Max Verstappen to the title by just two points.

The big picture:

The 2025 season was defined by a fierce, season-long duel between McLaren and Red Bull. Verstappen won more races (eight to McLaren's combined seven), but Norris's consistency and the team's operational precision, exemplified by moments like the grid tape, ultimately secured the constructors' and drivers' crowns. After the race, the rivalry was set aside as engineers Joseph and Red Bull's Gianpiero Lambiase were seen sharing a respectful conversation in the paddock.

What's next:

With the season concluded, the focus shifts to 2026. Verstappen, who missed the FIA Gala due to illness, publicly congratulated Norris and McLaren in a video message, signaling a respectful end to the year's hostilities. Both teams will now pour their energies into the next regulatory era, carrying forward the lessons from one of the closest championships in recent memory.