Red Bull ‘Vindicated’ as McLaren Faces Technical Scrutiny from FIA

Red Bull ‘Vindicated’ as McLaren Faces Technical Scrutiny from FIA after….read more

In a dramatic turn of events within the 2025 Formula 1 season, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has mandated McLaren to modify its rear wing design following persistent protests from Red Bull and Ferrari. This development has intensified the already fierce rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull, especially as McLaren continues to outperform its competitors on the track.

The Genesis of the Controversy

The controversy began during the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix when television footage appeared to show McLaren’s rear wing flexing upwards on straights, potentially providing a ‘mini-DRS’ effect by reducing drag and increasing top speed. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez labeled the wing as “out of the regulations,” while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc described it as “controversial to say the least”

Despite McLaren’s assertion that their car passed all FIA deflection tests and complied with regulations, the FIA decided to intervene. They requested McLaren to make the affected part of the wing more rigid to prevent any change
in shape at high speeds. This decision came after Red Bull and Ferrari highlighted a suspiciously low velocity delta between the flap closed and flap open configurations during the race, suggesting an estimated advantage of one to two tenths per lap on high-speed circuits like Baku.

McLaren’s Response and FIA’s Stance

McLaren’s team principal, Zak Brown, maintained that their car was legal and had passed every single test. He acknowledged that leading the championship would naturally attract scrutiny from rivals, stating, “I think it’s inevitable now that we’re leading the championship that everyone will be looking at our car and saying, ‘not sure I like that, and that’s the nature of the game”

The FIA, while confirming that McLaren’s rear wing complied with the rules after initial inspections, decided to request modifications to ensure that the observed flexing no longer occurs. They emphasized that if a team passes all deflection tests and adheres to the regulations and technical directives, they are deemed to be in full compliance, and no further action will be taken

Implications for the Championship

This development has significant implications for the championship battle. After winning seven of the first ten races of the season, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has not secured a victory in the last seven races, while McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have won three of the past five
races between them.

Red Bull’s concerns extend beyond the rear wing. They have also lodged an “official and accusatory file” against McLaren and Ferrari regarding the use of flexi-wings, prompting the FIA to inspect both teams’ practices. Additionally, Red Bull raised suspicions about McLaren’s tyre cooling methods, alleging the use of water injections within tyres to maintain lower temperatures. However, the FIA investigated these allegations and found no evidence of any wrongdoing

The FIA’s decision to require modifications to McLaren’s rear wing underscores the governing body’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field in Formula 1. While McLaren’s current points and victories remain unaffected, the team must adapt to the new requirements in future races. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how these changes impact McLaren’s performance and whether Red Bull can capitalize on any potential shifts in competitiveness.

This episode highlights the intricate balance between innovation and regulation in Formula 1, where teams constantly push the boundaries of technology within the confines of the rules. The ongoing scrutiny and rivalry among top teams like McLaren and Red Bull ensure that the championship battle remains as thrilling off the track as it is on it.