Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has given McLaren the all-clear after allegations surfaced that the British team was using an illegal method to cool their tires. The controversy erupted during the Miami Grand Prix two weeks ago, when Red Bull team principal Christian Horner suggested that McLaren might be injecting water into their tires to control temperature.
Tire Controversy
Horner’s comments were met with a tongue-in-cheek response from McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who covered his water bottle with stickers reading “tire water.” The FIA’s technical delegates inspected Oscar Piastri’s car after his win in Miami and found no evidence of any wrongdoing. The inspection focused on the components surrounding the wheel hubs.
The FIA’s findings should put the rumors to rest, at least for now. After a thorough investigation, the technical delegates concluded that Piastri’s car was compliant with tire regulations. This isn’t the first time McLaren has been at the center of tire-related controversy. Some fans have noted that Lando Norris’s tires seemed to degrade differently than Piastri’s during the Miami Grand Prix.
Some notable reactions on social media include:
- Sky Sports F1 reported that McLaren were cleared of using liquid to cool their tires.
- Pitpass.com confirmed that a full investigation into Piastri’s car found no evidence of illegality.
- Diego Mejia pointed out the differing tire wear between Piastri and Norris on X, formerly Twitter.
The FIA’s decision is a welcome outcome for McLaren, who have been performing strongly this season. Their next challenge is to keep their momentum going in the upcoming races.