### F1 Teams Call for Urgent Probe into McLaren and Ferrari’s Suspicious Cars After Pre-Season Testing Drama
The 2025 Formula 1 season hasn’t even started, yet the paddock is already ablaze with controversy as McLaren and Ferrari find themselves under fire. Pre-season testing in Bahrain has unleashed a storm of accusations, with rival teams demanding a major investigation into what they claim is a revival of McLaren’s infamous “mini DRS” trick—and Ferrari might be in on it too. Onboard footage showing suspiciously flexible rear wings has reignited tensions, drawing sharp criticism from Red Bull and beyond. With the FIA’s tightened rules under scrutiny and the Australian Grand Prix looming, this brewing scandal could set the tone for a chaotic F1 year. Are McLaren and Ferrari bending the rules, or have they just outsmarted the competition?
The saga kicked off when eagle-eyed analysts spotted unusual rear wing movements on both McLaren and Ferrari cars during Bahrain testing. The flexing eerily mirrors last year’s drama, when McLaren was accused of exploiting a design that widened the rear wing slot gap at high speeds, slashing drag and boosting straight-line pace—a sneaky “mini DRS” effect outside the official system.
After rival protests, the FIA forced McLaren to tweak their setup in 2024, tightening regulations to cap the slot gap at 9.4-13mm and mandating a binary DRS state (fully open or closed, no in-between). Yet, fresh footage suggests McLaren’s MCL39 and Ferrari’s SF-25 might be pushing the boundaries again, tilting their rear wing structures backward under aerodynamic load for a similar speed advantage. Red Bull’s technical director Pierre Wache didn’t hold back: “It’s still going on. Ferrari and McLaren are doing the mini DRS stuff still.”
The stakes are sky-high. Pre-season testing lacks full FIA compliance checks, giving teams room to experiment—but once Melbourne arrives, any rule breaches could spark protests, penalties, or forced redesigns. Wache predicts a showdown: “It will be an issue in Australia; it’s quite visible.” Last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw McLaren caught in a similar spotlight, prompting the FIA to reinforce Article 3.10.10, demanding DRS bodywork stay static outside deployment transitions (under 400ms). Now, suspicions center on a clever loophole: McLaren and Ferrari’s flatter rear wing profiles might allow vertical slot gap expansion under pressure, dodging the curvature most teams use. If true, this could explain their edge in speed traps—a potential game-changer rivals won’t ignore.
Red Bull, once untouchable, isn’t taking this lightly. Max Verstappen’s P2 finish in testing (0.021s off George Russell’s Mercedes) was solid but underwhelming for the four-time champ. “There’s still work to do,” he admitted, hinting at RB21 struggles echoed by Wache’s frustration with inconsistent handling. After dominating for years, Red Bull now faces a resurgent McLaren—who clinched the 2024 constructors’ title—and a Ferrari bolstered by Lewis Hamilton. Their pushback isn’t just technical; it’s personal. An unnamed team principal (likely Horner’s camp) told media: “Some rear wings out there appear quite flexible. We’re keeping a close eye.” Translation? They’re ready to pounce if McLaren and Ferrari’s tricks prove illegal.
Ferrari’s involvement adds a twist. Team principal Fred Vasseur recently aligned with Red Bull’s Christian Horner to praise the FIA’s front-wing clarifications—a rare truce—only for this rear-wing saga to erupt.
Ferrari’s no stranger to controversy, and their SF-25’s testing pace suggests they’re not just along for the ride—they’re innovating too. McLaren, meanwhile, knows the risks after last year’s slap on the wrist. Both teams’ silence fuels speculation: Are they banking on ambiguity in the rules, or have they mastered a legal gray area? The FIA’s response will hinge on performance gains—consistent speed trap dominance in Melbourne could trigger a protest avalanche.
As the season nears, the paddock braces for fallout. If proven, this “mini DRS” revival could force mid-season fixes, reshaping the title fight. McLaren’s title defense and Ferrari’s resurgence hang in the balance, while Red Bull smells blood. Will the FIA crack down, or have these teams outfoxed the rulebook? Drop your thoughts below—this could be 2025’s first blockbuster scandal!
