The Formula 1 world was rocked in early May 2025 by a controversial FIA decision during the Miami Grand Prix. McLaren received an official punishment for manipulating tire temperatures, following months of speculation and suspicion from rival Red Bull Racing. The punishment follows additional evidence provided by Red Bull, which ended a heated off-duty battle. World champion Max Verstappen, who played a crucial role in the championship, did not go unnoticed for his response to the incident.

The saga already began in 2024, when Red Bull accused McLaren of unauthorized methods for controlling tire temperatures. McLaren’s MCL39 proved exceptionally good at managing tire wear, especially at circuits like Bahrain and Jeddah, where high temperatures heavily load the rear tires. Red Bull’s heat images showed noticeably cold areas around the McLaren brake drums, raising questions about the legality of its cooling systems. Red Bull suspected the use of prohibited resources or innovations that did not comply with regulations. McLaren defended itself by pointing to its aerodynamic superiority and advanced material choices, but the exact effect of its system remained mysterious.

At the race to Miami, the situation escalated. Red Bull provided new evidence, including detailed analysis of thermal imaging and pit stop data, suggesting that McLaren’s brake drums used unauthorized coolants to keep tire temperatures artificially low. According to Auto Motor und Sport, Red Bull pointed to “impossible” temperature differences that could not be explained solely by air conduction. The FIA, under pressure from Red Bull and other teams, began an intensive investigation. Following inspections during free training sessions in Miami, the FIA ​​confirmed that McLaren’s system violated regulations, specifically Article 12.8.1 of the technical regulations, which prohibits artificially influencing tire performance.

The punishment for McLaren was significant: a €200,000 fine and a 10-point deduction from the manufacturer’s classification. Furthermore, the team was forced to adjust its brake drums for the next race at Imola. McLaren CEO Zak Brown reacted with disappointment but accepted the ruling. “We believe our innovations fell within the rules, but respect the FIA’s decision,” he said in a press release. Brown emphasized that McLaren’s dominance was not only due to the cooling system, but to a superior car and drivers.

Max Verstappen, who clocked fourth in Sprint qualifying in Miami, was remarkably sharp in his reaction. “It’s good that the FIA ​​is finally taking action,” he said after the race. “We’ve known for a long time that something was wrong. These kinds of tricks don’t belong in the sport. Now we can race again.” Verstappen, who trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 12 points, emphasized that he is focused on his own performance. “McLaren is fast, punishment or not. I have to give everything to beat them.” His words reflected the frustration within Red Bull, which saw McLaren’s tire management as an unfair advantage.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner praised the FIA ​​for its thorough investigation. “This shows that no one is above the rules,” he said. However, he also pointed to the need for consistent punishments, referring to previous incidents where Verstappen received time penalties, such as in Saudi Arabia after a collision with Piastri. X fans rallied around Verstappen, with messages such as “Finally justice!” and photos showing how McLaren’s cars retained unusually low tire temperatures.

The punishment doesn’t change McLaren’s lead in the constructors’ championship, but rather focuses on relationships. McLaren driver Lando Norris, who drove a strong race in Miami, called the case “well managed” and focused on the upcoming races. “We’re still fighting for the title, with or without those points,” he said. Meanwhile, Red Bull is hoping for improvements at Imola to close the gap on McLaren.

Formula 1 remains an arena, both on and off the track. The FIA’s pronouncement shows that technological innovations are under scrutiny, and Verstappen’s determination demonstrates he won’t give up. The Miami Grand Prix marked a turning point, but the championship race is still undecided.