The world of Formula 1 is in turmoil as the 2025 season approaches, which will begin in just a few days with the Australian Grand Prix. A week before the official opening, an unexpected controversy is already shaking the paddocks: the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion who joined the Italian team this winter, is the subject of an investigation by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). At the origin of this investigation? A complaint filed by Red Bull, the Austrian team that does not seem ready to let its rivals take the lead without reacting. This twist promises an explosive season from the first laps on the track.
According to information relayed by several specialist media, Red Bull has submitted an official dossier to the FIA, accusing Ferrari and McLaren – the two teams competing to challenge their dominance – of violating the technical regulations. More specifically, the team led by Christian Horner is allegedly pointing the finger at the design of the rear wings of the 2025 cars, suspected of exceeding the flexibility limits allowed by the regulations. This controversy is not new: last season, similar suspicions emerged, particularly after images showing a McLaren rear wing flexing under aerodynamic load in Baku. The FIA ​​then stepped up its controls, but no major infringement was found.
This time, Red Bull seems determined to follow through with its accusations. According to the Italian website *Formula Uno Analisi Tecnica*, the Austrian team has demanded a thorough inspection of the Ferrari facilities in Maranello and McLaren in Woking before the start of the season. Such an approach, however aggressive, reflects the intensity of Formula 1 competition, where every technical detail can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
For Ferrari, the complaint comes at a key moment. The arrival of Lewis Hamilton, after more than a decade at Mercedes, has sparked unprecedented excitement. The Briton, who is aiming for an eighth world title to surpass Michael Schumacher’s record, impressed in pre-season testing in Bahrain, finishing among the fastest. But could the investigation jeopardise his debut in red? Ferrari, confident, categorically rejects Red Bull’s allegations. According to Italian sources, the team is ready to demonstrate that its wings scrupulously comply with FIA standards.
McLaren, for its part, has remained silent for now. The British team, which won the constructors’ championship in 2024 under Lando Norris, had already had to adjust its DRS system after discussions with the FIA ​​last year. This new complaint raises questions: is this simply an attempt to destabilize Red Bull, or is there a real technical basis behind these accusations?
The row highlights the fierce rivalry that drives modern Formula 1. Red Bull, after losing its grip on the constructors’ championship to McLaren last year, appears intent on regaining control from the get-go. The Austrian team, led by four-time champion Max Verstappen, has had a mixed pre-season test, marred by technical issues with the RB21. The complaint could be interpreted as a strategy to deflect attention from their own struggles while putting pressure on their rivals.
For Lewis Hamilton, the case adds another layer of drama to an already high-profile transition. During testing in Bahrain, he showed remarkable ease behind the wheel of his new Ferrari SF-25, outperforming even his former teammate George Russell. But beyond his performances, it is his charisma and determination that captivate fans. At 40, Hamilton wants to prove that he remains at the top of his game, and this investigation could paradoxically strengthen his motivation.
The FIA, now under pressure, will have to decide quickly. High-definition cameras will be installed on the cars during the Australian Grand Prix to monitor the behaviour of the wings in real time. At the same time, visits to the Ferrari and McLaren factories are planned to check the conformity of the designs. If irregularities are detected, sanctions could range from simple technical adjustments to more severe penalties, a scenario that no one wants to see at the start of the season.
In any case, this episode confirms that the 2025 season will be anything but monotonous. Between Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari, McLaren’s rise to power and Red Bull’s intact ambitions, the technical and sporting rivalries promise a breathtaking spectacle. The fans, for their part, are holding their breath: will the first race at Albert Park already show who has the advantage, or will this legal saga steal the spotlight from the drivers? One thing is certain: in Formula 1, the drama is never limited to the track.
