Red Bull’s FIA Move Sparks Controversy: Did McLaren’s Secret Tyre Tech Cost Them at Imola 2025?
The 2025 Formula 1 season has taken a dramatic turn as fresh details emerge following Max Verstappen’s commanding victory over McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola on May 18. Piastri, who started on pole, was outmaneuvered by Verstappen at Turn 1, losing the lead in a daring move that saw the Red Bull driver brake late and sweep around the outside. Despite McLaren’s dominance this season—winning five of the first six races—their unexpected lack of race pace at Imola has raised eyebrows, with new FIA technical directives at the center of the controversy. Red Bull’s behind-the-scenes approach to the FIA, targeting McLaren’s innovative tyre management system, has ignited speculation about whether these regulations shifted the balance in Verstappen’s favor.
Piastri’s defeat marked the first time this season Verstappen bested him in a direct on-track battle, a stark contrast to their earlier clashes in Saudi Arabia and Miami. Reflecting on the race, Piastri told RacingNews365, “I thought I had it under control, but it was a good move from Max. I’ll learn for next time.” He admitted he would have braked 10 meters later, but the bigger issue was McLaren’s surprising lack of pace, which left both him and teammate Lando Norris unable to challenge Verstappen. Finishing second and third, the McLaren duo watched Verstappen pull away, leveraging superior tyre management—an area where McLaren had previously excelled. This performance swing has fueled intrigue, especially after it was revealed that the FIA issued two technical directives before Imola, focusing on tyre management and wheel bodywork regulations.
According to RacingNews365, Red Bull prompted these clarifications by questioning the FIA about McLaren’s advanced tyre-cooling system, which reportedly uses a micro-grid of phase-changing materials (PCMs) inside the brake drums. This innovative setup, involving small tubes filled with metal alloys that melt between 120 and 200°C, forms a thin membrane to control temperatures, allowing McLaren to heat their tyres faster and maintain optimal thermal conditions—a key advantage in 2025’s tyre-sensitive races. Red Bull, using thermal imaging to monitor McLaren’s brake drums, indirectly asked the FIA if such a system would be legal for their RB21, a move often used in F1 to force rivals into compliance changes. The FIA responded by outlawing water-cooling systems for wheels and tyres, though McLaren insists they made no adjustments, and their car passed all post-Miami inspections.
McLaren team insiders remain adamant that the directives had no impact on their Imola performance, pointing instead to Red Bull’s upgrades and the high-speed nature of the Imola circuit, which suits the RB21’s strengths. Verstappen, running in clean air after his Turn 1 overtake, capitalized on these factors to manage his tyres effectively and secure the win. However, the timing of the FIA’s intervention—prompted by Red Bull’s inquiry—has sparked debate about whether McLaren’s tyre advantage was curtailed. The upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, with its low-speed corners, will be a critical test to determine if McLaren can reclaim their winning form or if Red Bull has found a way to close the gap.
This saga underscores the fierce rivalry between Red Bull and McLaren in 2025, with the Constructors’ Championship hanging in the balance. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether McLaren’s “clever” tyre management system—praised by the FIA as legal—continues to give them an edge, or if Red Bull’s strategic push through the FIA has reshaped the title fight. With stricter flexi-wing regulations set to take effect at the Spanish Grand Prix in June, the battle for F1 supremacy is heating up, promising more twists in this thrilling season
