As the 2025 Formula 1 season progresses, McLaren’s dominance has raised eyebrows in the paddock, sparking an intense debate over whether their tire temperature management is a stroke of genius or skirting the edges of the regulations. In particular, their superior ability to control tire temperatures has set them apart, propelling McLaren to an enviable position at the top of the standings with five wins in six Grands Prix.

While Red Bull and other teams scramble to decipher McLaren’s performance edge, the FIA has already conducted multiple investigations into the team’s methods, each time concluding that the Papaya team is operating within the rules. However, as Red Bull’s investigations intensify, the question remains: is McLaren’s tire management technique truly legal, or are they pushing the boundaries of what’s allowed?

McLaren’s Tire Mastery: The Key to Their Success

At the heart of McLaren’s remarkable performance is their tire management strategy. Unlike any other team on the grid, McLaren’s cars can rapidly heat up their tires and then maintain them within the ideal temperature window throughout a race. This unique ability has granted McLaren a considerable advantage, especially when it comes to tire grip. From qualifying to race day, McLaren’s tire control provides their drivers with unparalleled grip from the first lap to the last.

McLaren’s tire temperature management is so effective that it has been labeled “almost perfect.” Their cars can adapt to various track conditions, maintaining tire efficiency regardless of the tarmac temperature or race conditions. In the 2025 season, this superior tire control has been most evident in the Miami Grand Prix, where McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri dominated the race. Even in difficult conditions, their cars displayed remarkable consistency in maintaining tire temperature, enabling them to leave their competitors behind.

Red Bull’s Frantic Investigations: Are McLaren Pushing the Boundaries?

While McLaren’s tire management has given them a clear performance advantage, rival teams, particularly Red Bull, have been trying to uncover the secret behind it. Red Bull’s engineers have used thermal imaging cameras during pit stops to analyze the temperature of McLaren’s rear brake systems. What they discovered was intriguing: McLaren’s brake ducts exhibited areas of coldness, unlike the orange or red hot spots seen on other cars.

This led to speculation that McLaren might be using some sort of cooling technique that could be bending the rules. One particularly controversial theory was that McLaren might be using water in the tires to keep them cool, a claim that McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, swiftly dismissed as ridiculous. Brown even made light of the accusations, jokingly showing off his drink bottle as a supposed source of the cooling fluid during the Miami Grand Prix.

In reality, McLaren attributes their success to a combination of factors, including their car’s exceptional downforce, balance, and a clever design that optimizes airflow through the brake ducts. While the exact details of their tire temperature management remain unclear, McLaren insists that their methods are entirely legal and are the result of targeted engineering efforts.

The FIA’s Role: Scrutiny and Clearances

The FIA has conducted several investigations into McLaren’s brake and tire management systems. Following McLaren’s dominant performance in the Miami Grand Prix, the governing body performed a thorough inspection of the rear brake ducts and drums to ensure that no illegal techniques were being employed. Despite these ongoing investigations, the FIA has yet to find any violations. McLaren’s tire management systems have been cleared each time, with the FIA signaling that McLaren is merely benefiting from a brilliant, innovative design.

Despite persistent speculation, including claims that McLaren had to revise their design, the FIA has not indicated any need for changes. Zak Brown reaffirmed that McLaren was not required to make any adjustments to their tire or brake temperature management systems, and no concerns have been raised following recent inspections.

The Response from Competitors

While McLaren continues to assert that their methods are entirely above board, rival teams remain skeptical. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, despite acknowledging McLaren’s superiority in tire management, insisted that the team’s advantage came from superior engineering, not from bending the rules. Wolff praised McLaren’s tire management as a legitimate development, emphasizing that the team had simply done a better job than everyone else.

Similarly, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has stated that, despite McLaren’s edge, there is nothing illegal about their car. Horner admitted that McLaren’s tire management was superior, particularly in the latter stages of the race when tire wear becomes more critical. He emphasized that Red Bull’s focus should be on improving their own car rather than accusing McLaren of any wrongdoing.

What’s Next for McLaren?

As the season unfolds, the pressure will mount for Red Bull and other competitors to catch up to McLaren’s tire management capabilities. While the FIA has cleared McLaren of any violations, the mystery surrounding their tire temperature management continues to fuel speculation. Will other teams be able to close the gap, or will McLaren’s innovative approach continue to give them an insurmountable advantage?

With McLaren’s success in 2025, the question is no longer whether their tire management system is a game-changer—it’s whether the rest of the grid will catch up before the season is over. As the FIA continues to monitor McLaren’s techniques, it seems the Papaya team is poised to stay ahead, at least for now.