In 2024, the biggest rivalry has unfolded between Red Bull and McLaren. Red Bull began the season building on their dominant form from 2023, but McLaren has disrupted their momentum, mounting a serious challenge. Consistently introducing upgrades, the British team has narrowed the gap, escalating the competition since the Miami Grand Prix. Now leading the standings, McLaren holds the top spot, while Ferrari and Red Bull trail behind, adding to the season’s intensity.
The rivalry has been relentless both on and off the track, with both teams seizing every opportunity for sharp exchanges. Lando Norris and Max Verstappen have engaged in heated battles on the grid, raising the stakes with each race. In Austin, Verstappen edged out Norris despite an off-track moment, though he later incurred penalties in Singapore for pushing Norris wide along with him. Red Bull has raised suspicions as the title race tightens, suggesting that McLaren may employ illegal methods to manage tire temperatures.
Red Bull Acusses McLaren Of Using Water To Manage Tire Temperature
Throughout the current Formula 1 season, McLaren and Red Bull have been embroiled in a series of mutual accusations, each claiming the other is bending the rules or exploiting technical loopholes. The dispute initially kicked off when Red Bull alleged that McLaren was using an overly flexible rear wing flap at the Baku Grand Prix. In a counterclaim, McLaren argued that Red Bull had incorporated an illegal device to adjust their car’s underbody height.
In a recent development, the German publication Auto Motor und Sport reported that Red Bull has leveled fresh accusations against McLaren, alleging that the team is again pushing regulatory boundaries. This time, Red Bull suspects McLaren of injecting a small amount of water into their tires through the valves to aid in temperature control. The report also hints that other teams might be employing similar tactics to gain an advantage.
The FIA has launched an investigation into these claims, although Pirelli, the official tire supplier, has not identified any unusual activity. With stringent rules governing tire use in Formula 1, adding water without Pirelli’s knowledge would be highly challenging. Pirelli technicians manage tire mounting and removal for teams, and no further adjustments are permitted after installation. Given Pirelli’s strong presence within the paddock, carrying out such actions unnoticed would be difficult. Additionally, Pirelli inspects all tires post-race so any trace of foreign fluid can be documented, further limiting the feasibility of this alleged advantage.
Is McLaren Reviving Red Bull’s Discarded Tire Cooling Trick?
Auto Motor und Sport reports that Red Bull previously employed a similar tactic to experiment with tire temperatures. At that time, a gap in the FIA’s guidelines allowed teams to introduce external fluids into their tires. However, the FIA quickly closed this loophole, enforcing a rule restricting tire handling during race weekends exclusively to Pirelli technicians.
