Last weekend, Formula 1 took an unexpected turn at the Miami Grand Prix. McLaren, with its characteristic papaya-colored cars, left fans and experts speechless by dominating with a force no one expected. But while the fans celebrated, alarm bells were ringing in the paddock: Red Bull suspects a technical trick behind McLaren’s sudden performance , and all eyes are on one specific detail: the braking system .
McLaren wasn’t just fast. It was dominant. Lando Norris shone with a performance that took him to the top of the podium, even beating world champion Max Verstappen. Under normal conditions, Red Bull usually has complete control of the pace of the race. However, in Miami, the Austrian team was unable to match McLaren’s pace , which raised suspicions.
Paddock sources have revealed that Red Bull cannot understand how McLaren has managed to make such a significant leap in such a short space of time. And even without formal charges, theories are already spreading like wildfire on social media and in specialized media .
According to leaked information from anonymous engineers and preliminary technical reports, McLaren is using an innovative braking system setup that alters heat distribution and improves aerodynamic performance . This change, if confirmed, could offer significant advantages without violating technical regulations.
The brakes on an F1 car aren’t just for stopping the car. They also play a crucial role in balancing the car, regenerating energy (in hybrid systems) and managing temperature, which all affect the performance of the tires. Any tweaks that optimize this system can translate into valuable tenths per lap .
To date, the FIA ​​has not issued any warnings or found any irregularities with the McLaren car. However, this wouldn’t be the first time a team has exploited a “grey area” in the rules to gain an advantage. Ironically, Red Bull has always been an expert in such technical innovations. But this time, they are the ones trying to discover the secret.
Speaking after the race, Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner refused to point the finger at McLaren but suggested they were “looking closely at some technical details of the rival car ”. Mercedes’ Toto Wolff also took an interest in what happened in Miami, noting that “something very interesting is happening in that garage”.
While there is no conclusive evidence, it is highly likely that this matter will be brought to the attention of the FIA. Thermal imaging cameras, sensors and telemetry data will be essential to understanding whether McLaren has found a technical gap that other teams have not yet discovered.
If the innovation is confirmed, we could be looking at a significant change in the dynamics of the 2025 season . It wouldn’t be unusual for other teams to try to replicate what McLaren did, as long as it’s legal. If not, there will be a scandal.
For its part, McLaren remains calm. In a press conference, team boss Andrea Stella said that everything they do “is within the regulatory framework and is the result of the hard work of the engineers .” He also stressed that the car’s improvement has been gradual and that Miami was just a reflection of that progress.
With this performance in Miami, McLaren did not just win a race. It challenged Red Bull’s dominance and reignited interest in a season that many had already considered predictable. The next few races will be decisive in determining whether Miami was a fluke, a brilliant strategy or a trick within limits never seen before.