The Formula 1 world has been shaken again by a heated confrontation between McLaren and Red Bull, in which McLaren-CEO Zak Brown has expressed hard criticism of what he calls “unreal” accusations of Red Bull Racing. The tensions rose high during the Grand Prix weekend in Miami on 10 May 2025, when Brown called on the FIA ââto fine Red Bull for their repeated allegations about the legality of McLaren’s MCL39 car. Shortly thereafter, both world champion Max Verstappen and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem joined the conflict, making the matter even more explosive.
The core of the fight revolves around Red Bull’s claims that McLaren uses illegal methods to keep their tires cool, in particular by injecting small amounts of water into the tires to regulate the temperature and reduce wear. These allegations appeared for the first time in 2024, when Red Bull used thermal cameras to investigate McLaren’s tires. The FIA ââand tire supplier Pirelli investigated the case in Brazil and found no evidence of violations, but Red Bull continued to persist. In Miami, the situation when Brown Red Bull challenged to submit an official complaint to the FIA, instead of expressing “false” and “light -hearted” accusations via the media. He suggested that teams that submit unfounded protests, a fine of at least $ 25,000, have to pay, an idea that was surprisingly supported by Ben Sulayem, who even proposed a fine of $ 50,000.
Brown’s performance in Miami, where he drank demonstratively from a bottle with the inscription “Tire Water” during a press moment, was a clear sneer to Red Bull. He emphasized that teams that express serious accusations must formally submit them and be prepared to bear the costs if they are wrong. “This kind of frivolous accusations are only intended to distract,” said Brown, referring to Red Bull’s strategy. His call was supported by Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who noticed that Red Bull’s complaints often seem unfounded and divert attention from their own problems.
Max Verstappen, the star driver of Red Bull, responded fiercely to Brown’s statements. He called the accusations about McLaren’s tires “nonsense” and emphasized that he is not distracted by such stories. “I have been in F1 for ten years and don’t waste time on this kind of rumors,” Verstappen told the press. He pointed out that teams are always trying to catch each other on technical tricks, but that McLaren’s suggestions about Red Bull’s car, such as an alleged illegal BIB approach in 2024, also proved unfounded. Verstappen’s team boss Christian Horner agreed and reminded him that McLaren himself asked questions about Red Bull’s front -wheel suspension in 2024, which shows that these kinds of accusations are inherent in the competitive nature of the sport.
FIA president Ben Sulayem tried to calm the minds by emphasizing that accusations should always be accompanied by concrete evidence and a formal complaint. “You can’t just accuse anyone without a written complaint, and that protest should cost money,” he said, with which he supported Brown’s proposal. He added that the FIA ââis investigating the case, but that no evidence has been found of illegal practices at McLaren. However, this position was criticized by some fans on X, who speculated about possible conflicts of interest because of the former friendship between Ben Sulayem and Brown, a relationship that was attached in the past but now seems professional.
The rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull is particularly intense this season, with McLaren in the lead in the constructors’ championship thanks to the strong performance of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Red Bull, which is struggling with problems on the RB21, feels the pressure and seems to divert attention from their own shortcomings through accusations. In the meantime, McLaren remains focused on the title fight, with Brown who calls for more transparency and stricter rules to discourage unfounded protests.
This Saga emphasizes fierce competition and political games in Formula 1. While McLaren and Red Bull compete for the supremacy, the FIA’s response to this issue will be crucial for maintaining a fair sport. Fans are eagerly looking forward to the following developments, both on and next to the job.
