After Red Bull were fined for a pre-race rules breach in Austin, which involved a team member attempting to interfere with a strip of tape McLaren had placed on the pitwall as a grid slot reference for Lando Norris, we ask if the incident marks the revival of the fractious relationship between the two teams. With both teams inevitably having to take a public position on it at this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, we discuss the best approaches and explain why teams have always engaged in such shenanigans to a greater or lesser extent. The question of whether there really is a ‘spirit’ of the regulations or the sport is also tackled, as well as examining why the lines that are artificially drawn between the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ guys by some are reductive. We also tackle a batch of listener questions on Oscar Piastri’s struggles, Pirelli tyres, Carlos Sainz’s risk assessment and more.Want bonus episodes and ad-free listening? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Check out the new items in The Race Shop - members get a 15% discount! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.