The world of Formula 1 is rocked by a new controversy. McLaren CEO Zak Brown accuses Red Bull of copying an innovative braking system from the MCL39, the single-seater that dominated the 2025 season. According to Brown, this secret “trick” in the rear brakes, which allows for tire temperature control, is the key to McLaren’s success on track. The accusation, confirmed after the Miami Grand Prix, led the FIA to officially intervene, intensifying the rivalry between the two teams.
The MCL39’s braking system, designed with phase-change materials, allows McLaren to manage brake heat more efficiently, preventing tire overheating during races. This ingenious design, analyzed by experts such as Martin Buchan, has given McLaren a considerable advantage, especially on hot circuits like Miami, where Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri won a resounding victory. However, Red Bull, led by Christian Horner, is keeping a close eye on the situation. Recent reports indicate that the Austrian team has been using thermal imaging cameras to study the temperature of the MCL39’s brake ducts, suspecting McLaren of using innovative technology.
Brown didn’t hold back. In a statement tinged with irony, the McLaren CEO challenged Red Bull to lodge a formal protest with the FIA if they were convinced the MCL39 violated the regulations. “If they think we’re doing something illegal, let them prove it,” said Brown, holding a water bottle labeled “tire water” during testing in Miami, a sarcastic nod to Red Bull’s previous allegations regarding the use of fluids in tires. The FIA, after scrutinizing the MCL39’s rear brake design, confirmed its legality, but the controversy only fueled tensions in the paddock.
This isn’t the first time Brown and Horner have clashed. The rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull intensified in 2025, with McLaren leading the Constructors’ Championship and its drivers, Norris and Piastri, dominating the standings. Red Bull, meanwhile, is struggling to keep pace with McLaren, sparking speculation about possible technological copying. The FIA’s intervention, which confiscated parts from the MCL39 for further analysis, suggests that the technical battle between the two teams is far from over.
As the Spanish Grand Prix approaches, where new technical directives could be a game-changer, all eyes are on McLaren and Red Bull. Will Red Bull be able to replicate McLaren’s success, or will Brown continue to set the pace on and off the track? Formula 1 promises to be a thrill ride.
