The world of Formula 1 is rocked by a new controversy. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has accused Red Bull of copying an innovative braking system from the MCL39, the single-seater that dominated the 2025 season. According to Brown, this secret “trick” in the rear brakes, which keeps tire temperatures under control, is the key to McLaren’s success on the track. The accusation, confirmed after the Miami Grand Prix, has led the FIA ​​to officially intervene, intensifying the rivalry between the two teams.

The MCL39’s braking system, designed with phase-change materials, allows McLaren to manage heat from the brakes more efficiently, preventing the tires from overheating during races. This ingenious design, which has been analyzed by experts such as Martin Buchan, has given McLaren a significant advantage, especially at hot circuits like Miami, where Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri achieved a landslide victory. However, Red Bull, led by Christian Horner, has been watching closely. Recent reports indicate that the Austrian team used thermal cameras to study the temperatures of the MCL39’s brake ducts, suspecting that McLaren was employing innovative technology.

Brown hasn’t hesitated to speak out. In a statement laced with irony, the McLaren CEO challenged Red Bull to lodge a formal protest with the FIA ​​if they are so sure the MCL39 breaks the rules. “If they think we’re doing something illegal, let them prove it,” Brown said, holding a water bottle labeled “tire water” during practice in Miami, in a sarcastic nod to Red Bull’s previous allegations about the use of liquids in the tires. The FIA, after thoroughly examining the design of the MCL39’s rear brakes, confirmed its legality, but the controversy has only fueled tensions in the paddock.

This isn’t the first time Brown and Horner have clashed. The rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull has grown in 2025, with McLaren leading the constructors’ championship and its drivers, Norris and Piastri, dominating the standings. Red Bull, meanwhile, has struggled to match McLaren’s pace, leading to speculation about potential technology copying. The FIA’s intervention, which confiscated parts of the MCL39 for further analysis, suggests the technical battle between the two teams is far from over.

With the Spanish Grand Prix looming, where new technical directives could change the game, all eyes are on McLaren and Red Bull. Can Red Bull replicate McLaren’s success, or will Brown continue to set the pace on and off the track? Formula 1 promises thrills.