FIA Launches Major Investigation Into McLaren’s Car After Shocking Pre-Season Testing Revelations
Formula 1’s 2025 season is already teetering on the edge of chaos as the FIA has launched a bombshell investigation into McLaren’s car design following pre-season testing in Bahrain. The spotlight? A controversial “mini DRS” trick in the rear wing, believed to be exploited by McLaren and Ferrari, reigniting a technical saga that rocked the sport in 2024. With new evidence surfacing, an anonymous team principal’s explosive claims, and Red Bull sounding the alarm, this probe could reshape the competitive landscape just weeks before the Australian Grand Prix. Buckle up—F1’s most contentious season yet is taking shape.
The drama traces back to last year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where McLaren’s Oscar Piastri clinched his second career win amid uproar over their rear wing. Observers noted it flexing under aerodynamic load, opening a gap that slashed drag on straights and boosted top speed—a clever loophole dubbed the “mini DRS trick.” The FIA responded with stricter rules for 2024, narrowing the slot gap width from 10-15mm to 9.4-13mm and mandating that DRS bodywork remain fully open or closed, with transitions under 400 milliseconds. The crackdown was hailed as a fix, but Bahrain’s three-day test has blown that confidence apart. Video footage revealed some rear wings still flexing suspiciously, prompting whispers that McLaren and Ferrari have outsmarted the regulations once again.
An anonymous team principal, speaking to *The Race*, didn’t hold back. “Looking at the videos, some rear wings out there appear quite flexible,” he warned. “It’s something we’re keeping a close eye on.” This flexibility allegedly violates Article 3.10.10 of the F1 Technical Regulations, which demands DRS bodywork maintain only two fixed positions—fully open or closed—outside of failure or transition. The accusation? McLaren’s MCL39 and Ferrari’s SF-25 might be bending the rules, gaining an illegal speed edge. While the FIA can’t act until the first race, penalties loom large, and the investigation’s outcome could redraw the pecking order.
Red Bull’s technical director, Pierre Waché, didn’t mince words either. “The mini DRS is still going on,” he claimed, pointing fingers at McLaren and Ferrari. “They’re testing the limits of the rules.” It’s a bitter pill for Red Bull, whose RB21 struggled in Bahrain despite upgrades—a rare move for pre-season. Max Verstappen, the four-time champion, admitted the car’s issues persisted from 2024, saying, “There’s a lot of work to do in the next couple of weeks if we want to compete.” Waché echoed the concern: “It wasn’t as smooth a test as we expected. The car didn’t respond how we wanted.” Internal reportssuggest Red Bull might not fight for wins in Australia, a stark fall from their 2023 dominance, compounded by Adrian Newey’s departure. Are they now eyeing rivals’ tricks to claw back performance?
McLaren, meanwhile, stole the show in Bahrain. The MCL39’s pace turned heads, hinting at a massive development leap over 2024. Ferrari’s testing form wasn’t far behind, fueling speculation that both teams have mastered the mini DRS loophole to unlock extra aero gains. The FIA’s probe now threatens to derail their momentum, but it also raises broader questions. Throughout 2024, the sport wrestled with legality debates—from front wing flexibility to Verstappen’s swearing penalties—exposing a gray area where teams thrive. As Waché noted, “There are lots of problems as to what’s legal and what’s not.” McLaren and Ferrari seem to have found that sweet spot, while Red Bull scrambles for answers.
The investigation’s stakes are sky-high. If the FIA tightens regulations mid-season, McLaren and Ferrari could lose their edge, leveling the field. Conversely, if the mini DRS trick slips through, Red Bull risks falling further behind, potentially jeopardizing Verstappen’s title defense—and his future with the team. The Austrian squad’s new powertrain unit and driver lineup woes only deepen the crisis. Bahrain’s data painted a grim picture: Red Bull outdeveloped, outpaced, and outmaneuvered. Verstappen remained diplomatic—“It wasn’t bad, but there’s work to do”—yet his optimism hinges on crunching numbers before Melbourne.
This rear wing saga isn’t going away. With McLaren and Ferrari under fire, the FIA faces a defining test of its authority. Will stricter rules emerge, or will cunning engineering prevail? One thing’s clear: 2025 is shaping up as F1’s most competitive—and controversial—season in years. The grid’s watching, and the clock’s ticking.
