Why is there a P tag within the NOSCRIPT tag in the tracking code?

It naturally renders the said block element in the page when javascript is disabled. I can display: none; but why is there in the first place? is it needed somehow? or may I just remove it?

Some people complained about it not being "proper" HTML without a block element around it. I think maybe it was some XHTML strict BS. Hard to remember exactly, this was at least 5 years ago. XHTML is dead though, thankfully, maybe we should remove it.

In my current project it is a tracked visual design bug, as it breakes it at the end. Does it considerably affect the trackig to directly set the IMG tag to display: none?

Sorry, I never explained why the image itself was there. It's for tracking visitors who have javascript disabled. It's fine to remove it but you will get slightly less accurate stats.

I know why the image is there. What I meant, is whether it actually affects the tracking (image load) when it is hidden. Likely that's the reason it's not hidden by default.

I don't know. My guess is a browser would not load it at all if it's hidden.