Racing Bulls have issued a public apology after a video circulated on social media appearing to show one of their team members making a thumbs-down gesture as McLaren driver Lando Norris collected the winner’s trophy at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
The short clip, recorded during the podium festivities on Sunday, showed an employee in Racing Bulls team attire filming the celebrations on a mobile phone. Moments later, the individual turned toward the crowd and repeatedly gave a thumbs-down gesture, seemingly directed at fans gathered below the podium.
Another Racing Bulls staff member quickly intervened, lowering the person’s arm and signalling for them to stop. Despite the brief nature of the incident, the footage rapidly spread across social platforms, drawing criticism from motorsport fans who described the gesture as unsporting and unprofessional.
In a statement released on Monday, Racing Bulls emphasised that the individual’s behaviour does not align with the values or culture of the team. “The action doesn’t reflect our team’s values or the spirit,” the team said. “We believe in celebrating great racing and showing respect to every driver, team and fan both on and off the track.”
The organisation confirmed that the matter had been addressed internally, although no further details were provided regarding disciplinary measures or the identity of the employee involved. Team representatives stressed that mutual respect is central to Formula 1 and that the gesture was an isolated lapse in judgement, not indicative of broader sentiment within the garage.
The incident occurred moments after Lando Norris claimed a vital victory at Interlagos, strengthening his position in the drivers’ championship and extending his lead over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to 24 points. The win marked another high point in an impressive season for Norris, who has consistently demonstrated pace and composure across recent races.
On the track, Racing Bulls enjoyed a solid performance in São Paulo, with Liam Lawson securing seventh place and teammate Isack Hadjar finishing eighth. The double-points result helped the team maintain sixth position in the constructors’ standings, a respectable mid-table placement as the season draws closer to its conclusion.
Despite the positive on-track results, the video overshadowed much of the team’s weekend narrative and became one of the most-discussed moments following the Grand Prix. Fans and pundits noted that tensions often run high in the competitive environment of Formula 1, but teams are expected to uphold professional standards at all times, particularly during global broadcasts.
McLaren have not publicly commented on the gesture, and Norris himself appeared unaware of the incident as he celebrated his achievement on the podium. Nevertheless, Racing Bulls moved swiftly to address the situation before it escalated further.
The team concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to respectful competition. “We celebrate racing excellence wherever it comes from,” the statement read. “We hold ourselves to high standards and will continue to embody the values of fairness, respect and sportsmanship.”
As the season continues, the focus now shifts back to the racing — though the brief controversy serves as a reminder of how quickly off-track moments can draw attention in the modern era of instant online scrutiny.
