On May 13, 2025, a remarkable development in the Formula 1 world came to light. Six drivers of three different teams, including Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen, have jointly revealed a secret that McLaren may give a lead in the 2025 season. This is an alleged technical “trick” that the MCL39 car would make faster and more efficient, in particular through a smart approach to the brakes and tire Management. This unveiling has led to a reaction from FIA boss Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who sent a clear message to the drivers involved, which further increased the tension in the championship.
The six drivers, from Red Bull Racing, Mercedes and Ferrari, have reportedly shared information about how McLaren manages to keep the tires cooler during races, which ensures less wear and more consistent performance about long stints. Max Verstappen, who is struggling with its RB21 car this season to keep track of McLaren’s pace, would have played a key role in uncovering this tactic. According to insiders, Red Bull would have collected images from McLarens with the help of infrared cameras, which showed that the British racing stable is using an innovative cooling technique. This technique would keep the brakes and tires at an ideal temperature, even under heavy conditions, which gives McLaren an advantage on circuits where tire management is crucial.
The other five drivers, including Lewis Hamilton from Ferrari and George Russell from Mercedes, would have confirmed these findings after their own observations during races and tests. Hamilton, who has difficulty finding his form at Ferrari this year, said in an informal setting that he admires McLaren’s method, but also emphasized that it harms the sport if not everyone has access to such techniques. The cooperation between these drivers from rival teams is unusual and suggests that the dominance of McLaren, who has already won five of the six races this season, has created a sense of urgency.
Fia boss Mohammed Ben Sulayem responded quickly to this unveiling. In a message that he sent to the six drivers, he called for transparency and warned that any form of irregularity will be strictly investigated. “The integrity of the sport is paramount,” wrote Ben Sulayem. “I expect all teams and drivers to adhere to the regulations, and we will not drop stitches when checking the technologies used.” This message comes at a time when the FIA is already under pressure due to earlier allegations from Red Bull about McLarens rear wing and tire management, which did not result in violations after investigation. The new focus on brake technology can lead to a thorough inspection during the upcoming Grand Prix in Spain.
For Verstappen and his Red Bull team, this development is a chance to close the gap with McLaren. Despite his third place in the championship, just twelve points behind leader Oscar Piastri, Verstappen repeatedly complained about the limitations of his car. He would have responded to Ben Sulayem’s message with the remark that he hopes for a level Playing Field, but he remains skeptical about the speed with which the FIA will deal. Fans on social media are already speculating about a possible update from Red Bull in Imola, which may make the RB21 more resistant to McLarens strategy.
McLaren team boss Zak Brown has not yet officially responded, but sources within the team suggest that they have faith in the legality of their approach. The racing stable, which won the constructor title in 2024, seems determined to stay ahead of the competition this year. At the same time, the situation raises questions about the balance between innovation and honesty in Formula 1. If the FIA indeed approves the technology, other teams can be forced to adjust their own cars, which can make the battle for the championship even more intense.
With the tension that rises and the eyes of the world aimed at McLaren, the Formula 1 season 2025 promises to take an unexpected turn. The upcoming races will be crucial to see if the unveiling of the six drivers and the response of the FIA will change the hierarchy in sport. For Verstappen and his rivals, it is now important to adjust their strategies, while fans eagerly look forward to the outcome of this technical duel.
