The Formula 1 paddock is abuzz with excitement as Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff jointly called on the FIA ​​to investigate the McLaren cars of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. Suspicions centre on the exceptional tyre performance of the MCL39, which has catapulted McLaren to the forefront of the championship this season. However, both team bosses were surprised by the FIA’s response, which found no irregularities after repeated checks, only fuelling the speculation. With the race at the Red Bull Ring coming up, where Max Verstappen has won five times, it promises to be a new chapter in the rivalry between the top teams.

The controversy began earlier this season when Red Bull questioned McLaren’s tire management practices, particularly after the Miami Grand Prix. According to RacingNews365, Red Bull accused McLaren of using water in their tires, a practice that they believed regulates the temperature of the rubber and thus improves performance. McLaren CEO Zak Brown mockingly responded by drinking from a bottle labeled “Tire Water” during free practice, further inflaming tensions. Red Bull even conducted its own research using thermal imaging cameras to analyze McLaren’s tire and brake temperatures, but the FIA ​​ruled the MCL39 to be completely legal after multiple inspections. Horner ruled out any illegal practices, but told GP33 that McLaren’s lead in tire management is “almost unbelievable.”

Toto Wolff, normally a rival of Horner, surprisingly supported Red Bull’s call for further investigation, but with a nuance. In an interview with RacingNews365, he praised McLaren’s integrity and the skills of team principal Andrea Stella and technical director Rob Marshall. “I don’t doubt their honesty,” said Wolff, “but their tyre management is so good that it raises questions.” He suggested that McLaren simply has a better understanding of how Pirelli tyres work, which he believes is perfectly legal. Still, he urged transparency from the FIA ​​to remove any doubt. The surprise came when, despite pressure from both team principals, the FIA ​​decided not to take initial action for Austria, a decision that Horner and Wolff described as “unexpected.”

Speculation surrounding McLaren’s performance is not new. Last year, the MCL38’s flexible front wing sparked controversy, but an FIA investigation found no violations. At Imola this year, the FIA ​​introduced technical guidelines on wheel construction and tire treatment, reportedly following complaints from Red Bull. According to The-Race, this was a clarification of the rules, not a rule change, and McLaren denied that any changes were made to their car. However, the focus remains on McLaren’s brake drums, which Verstappen said in Miami remained remarkably cool, preventing the rear tires from overheating. This technical advantage has helped McLaren dominate races, with Piastri now Verstappen’s closest challenger in the championship.

The Austrian Grand Prix, where McLaren performed strongly last year, will be a crucial test. Verstappen, who recovered in Canada after a difficult race in Monaco, leads the championship by 49 points from Piastri. However, his 11 penalty points put him close to a ban, increasing the pressure on Red Bull. Horner’s call for an investigation appears partly strategic, aimed at disrupting McLaren’s momentum. Wolff’s support for it is surprising given his rivalry with Horner, but insiders suggest Mercedes is hoping for a technical opening to gain ground itself. Posts on X reveal a divided fanbase, with some seeing it as an attempt to sabotage McLaren, while others are calling for stricter controls.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella reacted calmly, insisting his team is open to inspections. “We have nothing to hide,” he told GP33. Norris, who challenged Verstappen in Miami but failed to take the win, remains focused on the race. However, the FIA’s decision not to launch an additional investigation before Austria has done little to calm the mood. With the technical battle as intense as the one on track, the Austrian Grand Prix promises to be a spectacle. While Horner and Wolff express their surprise, McLaren continue undeterred, ready to prove that their speed is pure talent and innovation. Formula 1 remains a sport where rivalry and technology go hand in hand, and this saga underlines that once again.