Breaking:Red Bull’s Complaint Prompts FIA Investigation into MCL39 Following… Read More

Red Bull’s Complaint Prompts FIA Investigation into MCL39 Following… Read More

Red Bull Racing has voiced concerns about the legality and performance of McLaren’s MCL39 Formula One car, which has dominated the 2025 season so far. McLaren has taken five wins out of the first six races, with Oscar Piastri delivering particularly impressive performances in China and Miami, where he won by significant margins.

Although Max Verstappen has claimed three pole positions in qualifying, the McLaren drivers have secured three as well, showing strong one-lap pace. While Middle Eastern tracks were predicted to suit McLaren’s car, their victories there—though still wins—came with narrower margins than initially expected.

A significant factor behind the MCL39’s success seems to be its exceptional tyre management. During the Chinese Grand Prix on the newly resurfaced Shanghai International Circuit, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completed the race with tyres that showed remarkably little degradation, as if they’d only been used for a few laps.

However, the MCL39 may soon face a major challenge. A new FIA technical directive, set to be enforced starting with the Spanish Grand Prix, targets flexing components, particularly those believed to be enhancing aerodynamic performance in illegal ways. Analysts suspect McLaren’s innovative front wing could be affected, as its current flexibility might violate the updated regulations.

Despite this, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has maintained confidence in the legality of the team’s car, insisting that it will pass the new tests with no issues. He has dismissed suggestions that the rule change in Barcelona will impact their performance significantly.

Red Bull, however, believes otherwise. They argue that McLaren may be benefitting from the expertise of Rob Marshall, a former Red Bull engineer who now works for the Woking-based team. According to Red Bull, Marshall’s knowledge could be aiding McLaren in exploiting loopholes, especially regarding flexible aerodynamic elements. When the FIA’s clampdown begins, Red Bull expects McLaren’s performance to take a noticeable dip.

This is not the first time McLaren’s car design has come under scrutiny. Last season, the team had to revise its rear wing after the Baku Grand Prix due to issues with illegal flexing. That version of the wing reportedly created a mini-DRS effect outside designated DRS zones, giving the car an unfair speed boost.

In 2025, Red Bull has raised additional concerns about McLaren’s rear brake duct cooling system. The team deployed a thermal imaging camera during the Japanese Grand Prix, which revealed striking temperature differences between the MCL39 and the rest of the grid. These findings prompted suspicions that McLaren may be using questionable methods to manage rear brake temperatures and, in turn, tyre wear.

These allegations led to what has now been dubbed the “Watergate” affair in the F1 paddock. The reference harks back to a time when Red Bull themselves experimented with using water to cool tyres—until the FIA declared the technique illegal. Now, Red Bull suspects McLaren is employing a similar strategy. In response, McLaren played off the accusations by humorously labeling their pit wall drinking bottles as “Tire Water” during the Miami Grand Prix. Red Bull’s Christian Horner responded with sarcasm, suggesting they send McLaren a case of Red Bull for hydration.

Red Bull’s formal complaints to the FIA have earned them criticism from fans and rivals, with some calling them “whingers.” However, recent FIA action suggests Red Bull’s concerns may hold merit. There’s a long-standing culture in Formula One of teams monitoring each other closely and lodging official protests when they suspect breaches of the technical regulations.

While the FIA today has better funding and resources than in the past, it’s still the teams that have the deepest understanding of cutting-edge F1 technology. As such, it’s common practice for one team to guide the FIA toward potential rule violations by competitors.

Veteran F1 journalist John Noble, speaking on The Race YouTube channel, shed light on the theories surrounding McLaren’s brake ducts. He suggested that the system might be playing a key role in preserving tyre life, further enhancing McLaren’s race pace. Noble also reported that the FIA discovered something during inspections that concerned them enough to confiscate parts of the MCL39 for detailed analysis.

As the season continues and the new regulations take effect, the spotlight will remain firmly on McLaren. Whether their early-season dominance can be sustained under increasing technical scrutiny remains to be seen.