Andrea Stella, the head of McLaren, described their competitors as `defocused` after the FIA cleared McLaren`s car from allegations of illegally using liquid to cool its tyres before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
McLaren`s strong start to the 2025 season, including five wins in the first six races, appears to have fueled suspicions among some rival teams regarding how the MCL39 manages to keep its tyres in their optimal operating window during races, thus aiding tyre longevity.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown even humorously displayed a bottle labeled `tire water` on the pit wall in Miami, openly mocking the competitors` suspicions.
Prior to this weekend`s race in Imola, the FIA announced that the car of Drivers` Championship leader Oscar Piastri had been randomly selected for thorough physical inspections. These checks included examining the wheel bodywork and verifying the absence of forbidden liquid brake cooling systems.
All components examined were found to be in full compliance with the technical regulations.
“It`s somewhat regrettable due to the extra work it creates for the FIA, but that`s something for them to handle,” Stella commented. “Perhaps the FIA should establish a stricter threshold for considering such allegations, as they generate significant work but ultimately prove unfounded.”
“However, I welcome the fact that other teams are becoming `defocused`.”
Controversy over `Flexi-Wings` Nearing Resolution in Spain
Another contentious issue raised by McLaren`s competitors over the past year concerns `flexi-wings`.
Following the `mini-DRS` controversy last season regarding the degree of bodywork flexibility observed on some teams` rear wings at high speed, the FIA announced new load tests for wings would be implemented starting with the 2025 season. Flexible bodywork is explicitly forbidden in Formula 1.
Stricter deflection limits for rear wings were enforced from the season-opening race in Melbourne and further tightened from the second round in China. Upcoming tests in Barcelona will now specifically target front-wing flexibility.
Video evidence from several races this year has shown wings on various cars visibly flexing on straights, potentially boosting straight-line speed, before returning to a rigid state for corners to maintain maximum downforce benefits.
McLaren officials have previously stated that the new tests in Barcelona will not affect their performance. Stella reiterated that “even if there were front wing deflection, it is entirely unrelated to McLaren`s high competitiveness.”
“For McLaren and for me personally as the team principal, observing this level of scrutiny from our rivals is positive news, and I hope it continues,” he added. “This suggests to me that our competitors are focusing externally rather than concentrating on their own fundamental work, which is precisely what we strive to do at McLaren. We concentrate on ourselves and the engineering fundamentals that enable us to achieve high competitiveness.”
“If that`s the approach they choose, it remains good news for us.”
