McLaren Cleared by FIA After Alleged Tyre Cooling Controversy in Miami
The FIA has officially absolved McLaren of any regulatory violations following an investigation into allegations that the team may have used an illicit tyre cooling technique during the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. This development brings an end to swirling speculation that emerged after McLaren’s standout performance in the early part of the season, particularly in Miami, where Oscar Piastri clinched a dominant victory.
Concerns were raised in the paddock when Piastri secured another impressive win and teammate Lando Norris qualified on the front row, prompting whispers that McLaren might be employing a clever trick to gain an edge in tyre temperature management. At the center of the rumors was Article 11.5 of the 2025 Formula One Technical Regulations, which explicitly bans any form of fluid-based or refrigeration methods to alter tyre temperatures once the wheels are mounted on the car.
Adding fuel to the fire, McLaren CEO Zak Brown added a touch of humor to the situation by appearing on the pit wall holding a transparent drink bottle labeled “tire water.” While clearly intended as a joke, the stunt went viral on social media and did little to silence the growing skepticism from rival teams, some of whom reportedly urged the FIA to take a closer look at McLaren’s setup.
As part of its standard post-race protocol, the FIA randomly selected Piastri’s car—chassis number 81—for a detailed technical inspection. The investigation was conducted in the lead-up to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. FIA technical delegates specifically focused on compliance with Article 3.13, which pertains to component registration, and Article 11.5, which governs tyre temperature regulation.
Inspectors carried out a full teardown of the car’s four wheel assemblies and brake ducts. Their objective was to identify any systems—such as pipes, reservoirs, channels, or phase-change materials—that could potentially be used to manipulate tyre temperatures with chilled liquids. The investigation revealed no such devices, and all components were found to be in perfect alignment with McLaren’s registered specifications.
In the final report, the FIA’s technical delegate confirmed that “all inspected components were in full conformance with the 2025 Formula One Technical Regulations.” This ruling effectively clears McLaren of any wrongdoing and puts to rest the suspicions that had been circulating for weeks.
This result is a significant relief for McLaren, who have quickly reasserted themselves as championship contenders this season. The introduction of the upgraded MCL38B chassis at the Australian Grand Prix has propelled them into a position of strength, with Piastri now leading the Drivers’ Championship and the team topping the Constructors’ standings.
McLaren’s technical director, Peter Prodromou, has been firm in defending the team’s performance gains, attributing their success to fundamental engineering improvements rather than innovative exploits or loopholes. According to Prodromou, enhanced aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical grip have been the true drivers behind McLaren’s resurgence, not any borderline technical trickery.
With the FIA investigation now officially closed, Piastri retains his win from Miami without question, and McLaren can head to Imola with full confidence in the legitimacy of their results. For rival teams, the episode serves as a clear reminder that suspicions and rumors can quickly lead to official scrutiny—even when sparked by something as tongue-in-cheek as a labeled water bottle.
As the championship battle continues, teams will now need to focus on improving their own packages rather than speculating about others. The upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will provide another challenging environment, especially with cooler temperatures that will once again put tyre management to the test—only this time, without any talk of “tire water” gimmicks.
