The 2025 Miami Grand Prix has become a flashpoint for controversy after sensational allegations emerged that McLaren may have used an undisclosed method to cool its tyres – a trick that, if proven, would have breached F1’s stringent technical regulations.
Red Bull, McLaren’s main rival in the championship fight, has long harboured suspicions that McLaren is using water-cooling techniques to improve tyre performance, especially during qualifying. However, despite the heated allegations, no formal evidence has been presented and McLaren has publicly challenged Red Bull for “staking it out” by lodging an official protest.
In a rare move, Pirelli’s motorsport director Mario Isola has broken his silence on the matter, addressing the speculation that has rocked the paddock. Speaking to reporters after the race, Isola firmly dismissed the possibility that water was secretly injected into the tyres without being detected.
“We are constantly monitoring the tire pressure and temperatures through sensors,” Isola explained. “Forcing water through the valve or any part of the tire would be immediately visible in the data. It is not highly unlikely to be almost impossible in the current FIA monitoring system.”
The debate escalated to the point where FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem weighed in, voicing support for McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s proposal that formal protests should have financial consequences. Ben Sulayem said: “If a team believes they have a legitimate claim, they should protest – but there should be accountability. I agree with Zak that if you lodge a protest, the cost should come out of your cost cap and you only get it back if you’ve been proven right.”
With tensions high between Red Bull and McLaren, all eyes now turn to the next round where the FIA’s grip on tyre procedures is set to tighten further. As the title battle intensifies, the spotlight will remain firmly on the pit lane – and Pirelli’s tyres.
