Martin Brundle has dismissed the notion that McLaren might be using water to cool their tyres amid Red Bull’s concerns regarding the legality of the McLaren MCL39.
McLaren has made a remarkable start to F1 2025, securing victories in five out of six races. However, over the Miami GP weekend, rumors surfaced about Red Bull’s skepticism pertaining to the MCL39’s compliance, while McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown humorously referenced last season’s tyre water claims.
Scrutinizing the McLaren MCL39: Flawed Tyre Theory?
The German outlet Auto Motor und Sport reported that Red Bull was utilizing thermal cameras to analyze the temperatures of McLaren’s tyre cooling ducts, particularly focusing on the rear tyres, which have proven to be a significant advantage for McLaren. Red Bull noted unusually low temperatures (blue areas) compared to other teams (orange and red), leading them to conclude it was “impossible” to achieve such cooling with air alone.
This speculation follows allegations from late 2024 suggesting McLaren was injecting a small amount of water into their tyres for enhanced performance—an assertion that the FIA and tyre supplier Pirelli found no supporting evidence for. Brown alluded to these allegations when he was seen enjoying a “tire water” drink on the McLaren pit wall during FP1 in Miami.
Sky F1’s pit-lane reporter, Ted Kravitz, stated he did not observe any Red Bull cameras as reported but noted that monitoring competitors using thermal cameras isn’t a new tactic. He shared an anecdote about former Ferrari engineer Ruth Buscombe, who was tasked with spying on rival teams using such technology in 2012.
Brundle intervened to emphasize that the historical allegations about adding water to tyres are nonsensical. He shared his experience, stating that throughout his racing career, avoiding condensation in tyres was crucial, as it could lead to a loss of pressure control. He argued that introducing water would result in steam, disrupting tyre performance—crediting McLaren’s geometry and cooling methods for their tyre management success.
Insights from McLaren Team Members
Bernie Collins, McLaren’s former lead performance engineer, echoed Brundle’s sentiments, dismissing the water claims as laughable. She remarked that countless variables affect tyre cooling, including brake temperature and the contact patch. She emphasized that a holistic approach is vital in achieving optimal tyre performance, especially under varying race conditions.
As of now, McLaren’s drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris occupy the top two spots in the Drivers’ Championship, with Piastri holding a 16-point lead over Norris, while McLaren leads the Constructors’ Championship by 105 points ahead of Mercedes.
