The FIA has explained why Red Bull were fined €50,000, €25,000 of which is suspended for the rest of the season, following a safety breach at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. The incident happened just after the formation lap started when a Red Bull team member returned to the track near Lando Norris’ grid position to remove a piece of tape.

The tape had been placed on the advertising hoarding beside Norris’ grid slot to help him line up his car correctly before the race. Marshals tried to stop the team member, but he continued onto the track, which the FIA said was a serious safety breach.

The stewards said the actions broke Articles 12.2.1.h and 12.2.1.i of the FIA International Sporting Code, which relate to failing to follow instructions from officials and interfering with track safety. “Entering the track or hindering the safety measures to prepare the track for the race after the grid has been cleared is absolutely prohibited,” the stewards wrote. “Irrespective of whether or not the instructions of the relevant officials have been realised by the person concerned, hindering or delaying the process before the race start must be considered an unsafe act.”

Red Bull argued that the team member had not realised the marshals were trying to stop him. The stewards, however, were not convinced and handed down the fine. Half of the fine, €25,000, is suspended until the end of the season to encourage the team to prevent a similar incident happening again.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies spoke to the media after the race. He, quoted by Motorsport Week, said: “We fully respect the stewards’ decision. Our people are very positive that they followed marshal instructions at all times. I think it is probably a misunderstanding, and it is something we can do better in the future.”

Mekies added that the team did not believe they had committed any wrongdoing. “We did not get any specific instructions to stop,” he said. “It is a very small thing, but it is something we will address moving forward.”