Breaking: Red Bull Team Call out FIA’s attention over McLaren’s Br…read more
Red Bull Behind FIA’s Clarification on McLaren’s Brake Cooling System
Red Bull Racing has been identified as the team responsible for prompting the FIA to issue a recent technical directive concerning brake and tyre temperature regulation. This directive, released ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, followed Red Bull’s inquiry into the legality of certain innovations believed to be employed by McLaren.
Reports indicate that Red Bull, the reigning Constructors’ Champions, approached the FIA with questions centered on whether specific brake and tyre cooling systems were within the boundaries of current regulations. The inquiry did not mention McLaren by name, but it was widely interpreted as a response to the British team’s recent surge in performance, which has seen them win five out of the opening six races of the 2025 season.
The focal point of Red Bull’s concern appears to be McLaren’s use of phase-changing materials (PCMs) in their brake assemblies. These materials, composed of small metal alloys encased in plastic sheaths, change state — melting and solidifying — at precise temperature thresholds. This advanced system allows for more efficient thermal management, improving tyre warm-up and enabling better control over tyre temperatures during races. The result is enhanced grip, reduced degradation, and greater consistency over a race distance — factors that could offer a distinct competitive advantage.
To substantiate their suspicions, Red Bull reportedly utilized thermal imaging technology to monitor and analyze the brake temperatures on McLaren’s car. Armed with this data, they submitted a query to the FIA, presenting it as a general, hypothetical question regarding the legality of such temperature-regulating methods. While it was framed in a non-specific way, it was understood that the inquiry stemmed from Red Bull’s observations of McLaren.
The FIA responded by issuing a technical directive to clarify the boundaries of legality concerning brake cooling and wheel bodywork components. Such directives often serve to refine the interpretation of existing rules, especially when teams begin to push the envelope with innovative solutions.
In response to the speculation, McLaren has strongly denied altering any aspect of their car due to the directive. They attributed their dip in performance at Imola — where Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed victory — to the track characteristics and the updates recently introduced to the RB21, rather than any changes necessitated by FIA intervention.
It’s not unusual in Formula 1 for teams to approach the FIA for clarification, especially when rival teams are believed to have discovered a performance-enhancing solution. These requests can lead to rule clarifications that either validate the innovation or force teams to modify or remove the system in question.
Whether McLaren’s form will suffer in the wake of this clarification remains to be seen. The upcoming races — particularly the Monaco Grand Prix and the Spanish Grand Prix, which will also introduce new rules on flexible wings — will serve as key indicators. If McLaren maintains their pace, it could suggest the directive had little real impact. But if there is a noticeable drop-off, Red Bull’s inquiry may have succeeded in curbing a potent advantage.
Regardless of the outcome, the incident highlights the intense strategic and technical battles that characterize modern Formula 1 — where innovation is constant, and regulation is always one question away from change.
