Red Bull Mocks McLaren's Double DSQ with 'Friendly Advice'

Red Bull's sim racing team has publicly trolled McLaren following their double disqualification at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, offering 'friendly advice' on how to avoid such penalties. This lighthearted jab highlights the intensifying rivalry between the two F1 powerhouses.

Why it matters:

The rivalry between Red Bull and McLaren has been heating up, with recent incidents like 'tapegate' adding fuel to the fire. This latest mockery by Red Bull's sim team underscores the fierce competition and psychological warfare brewing between the two teams, potentially impacting team morale and future on-track battles.

The Details:

• Double Disqualification: McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who initially finished second and fifth in Las Vegas, were both disqualified due to excessive skid-block wear. This is a common issue in the ground-effect era of F1.
• Red Bull's Taunt: Red Bull's sim racing team posted a video titled 'How Not To Get A DQ...' which showed adjusting car ride heights to maximum in an F1 video game, captioned with 'Just a bit of friendly advice.' The post garnered over 100,000 likes on Instagram.
• 'TAPEGATE' Precedent: The rivalry intensified last month at the United States Grand Prix when Red Bull was fined after a team member attempted to interfere with a strip of tape McLaren had left as a visual marker for Norris on the grid.
• McLaren's Explanation: McLaren team principal Andrea Stella stated the disqualification was due to 'unexpected, high levels of porpoising' and 'accidental damage' to both cars, leading to increased floor movement. He emphasized the breach was unintentional.

Between the lines:

This isn't just a casual joke; it's a strategic move in the ongoing mind games between rival F1 teams. Red Bull, known for its aggressive competitive spirit, is using social media to subtly undermine McLaren, especially at a critical juncture in the championship. The public nature of the jab also plays into the fan engagement aspect, further amplifying the rivalry narratives within the sport.

What's next:

With the championship battle tightening—Piastri and Verstappen now level on points, just behind Norris—the stakes are higher than ever. Expect the rivalry to continue escalating in the final two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. McLaren will be under pressure to perform flawlessly and avoid any further technical infringements, while Red Bull will likely continue its dominant form and perhaps even more strategic jabs off-track.