The Formula 1 paddock is buzzing with controversy as Jos Verstappen, father of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, has ignited a firestorm by accusing McLaren of using a flexible rear wing to gain an unfair advantage. The allegations, stemming from footage captured at the Japanese Grand Prix, have sent shockwaves through the sport, raising questions about technical regulations and competitive fairness in the 2025 season.
The drama unfolded when Jos reposted a viral video on social media, comparing McLaren’s MCL39 rear wing to Red Bull’s RB21. The footage, which garnered over half a million views, appears to show McLaren’s wing flexing significantly more than Red Bull’s, especially at high speeds. This has led to claims that McLaren might be exploiting a loophole, creating a “mini-DRS” effect that reduces drag and boosts straight-line speed without violating FIA rules. The caption accompanying the post didn’t hold back, calling McLaren’s wing a “monster” in terms of flex.
Max Verstappen, however, has taken a more cautious stance. Speaking in Bahrain, he acknowledged seeing the footage but refused to fan the flames. “I don’t make the rules, and I’m not the one enforcing them,” he said, leaving the matter to the FIA. Despite his restraint, the four-time champion hinted that “a lot of people see what I see,” fueling speculation that Red Bull believes McLaren’s design pushes the boundaries of legality.
McLaren, for their part, remain unfazed. Team principal Andrea Stella insists their car complies with all regulations, emphasizing that no changes were made to the rear wing despite stricter FIA tests introduced in China and Japan. Lando Norris, leading the drivers’ championship by a single point over Verstappen, dismissed the accusations as misguided. “People watching social media clips are a bit clueless,” he quipped, even inviting Max to test the MCL39 to see for himself. Oscar Piastri echoed his teammate’s confidence, predicting that upcoming technical directives in Spain won’t dent McLaren’s performance.
The FIA has confirmed awareness of the footage but noted that no formal complaints have been lodged. While McLaren passed all scrutineering checks at Suzuka, the governing body is expected to keep a close eye on their wing in Bahrain. Flexible wings are a perennial gray area in F1, with teams constantly innovating to maximize performance within the rules. Red Bull faced similar scrutiny in 2021, leading to tighter regulations, and now McLaren finds itself in the spotlight.
This saga adds spice to an already thrilling season. McLaren’s dominance has seen them surge 36 points ahead of Mercedes in the constructors’ standings, while Norris clings to a razor-thin lead over Verstappen. With Red Bull introducing a modified front wing in Bahrain to claw back performance, the battle on and off the track is heating up. As the FIA deliberates and rivalries intensify, one thing is clear: this flexi-wing controversy is far from over, and it’s keeping F1 fans on the edge of their seats.[](https://www.planetf1.com/news/lando-norris-swipes-clueless-dig-over-mclaren-rear-wing-video)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-fia-issues-alarming-update-mclaren-s-flexi-wing-footage-f1-japanese-gp)[](https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/fia-aware-of-mclaren-flexi-wing-footage-jos-verstappen-reposted/)
