Abishek D Praphullalumar
Tensions are heating up in Formula 1 as McLaren CEO Zak Brown directly challenged Red Bull to formally protest the legality of McLaren’s MCL39. This comes after Red Bull allegedly suspects McLaren of sneaky tyre-cooling tactics that could provide a competitive edge, though no evidence has been confirmed by FIA or Pirelli.
Reports claim Red Bull even deployed thermal imaging cameras during pit stops to monitor McLaren’s brake vents and tyre temperatures, noting irregular ‘blue areas’ compared to other cars. Despite no rule breaches found, suspicions remain especially as McLaren dominates the 2025 championships while Max Verstappen continues to fend off a relentless Lando Norris.
Brown’s response? A bold proposal: any team filing a protest should face a significant financial penalty if their claim doesn’t stick. He hinted teams should think twice before spending limited budget cap funds on speculative grievances. The saga already inspired Brown’s cheeky Miami GP stunt, sipping from a bottle labeled ‘tire water’. Expect this rivalry to fuel F1’s fiercest storyline of 2025.
