The 2024 Formula 1 title battle took an unexpected twist during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, as new allegations emerged from Red Bull against McLaren. According to reports from Auto Motor und Sport, Red Bull suspects McLaren of illegally filling its tires with water to improve cooling performance. This accusation is the latest development in a series of mutual allegations between the two teams throughout the season, highlighting the intense competition in Formula 1.
The rivalry between Red Bull and McLaren began earlier this year, notably at the Baku race, where Red Bull accused McLaren of using a flexible rear wing flap that may have violated regulations. In response, McLaren alleged that Red Bull was employing an illegal component to adjust the car’s underbody height. The FIA intervened in this dispute, ultimately ruling against McLaren’s flexible wing while deeming Red Bull’s bib mechanism compliant with the rules. This ongoing back-and-forth has contributed to a charged atmosphere as the season progresses.
The recent allegations suggest that McLaren is gaining an advantage by adding a small amount of water into its tires through the valve system, which purportedly helps with cooling during races. Red Bull claims this manipulation might not be limited to McLaren, indicating that several teams could be employing similar tactics to gain an edge. Such allegations raise concerns about compliance with FIA regulations and the overall integrity of the competition.
Despite the serious nature of these claims, the strict regulations governing tire use in Formula 1 make such tactics challenging to implement without detection. The report highlights that Pirelli, the official tire supplier, closely monitors tire usage. Teams are prohibited from altering tires once they have been mounted by Pirelli technicians, who are present at every race. Furthermore, Pirelli collects and analyzes all tires after each event, ensuring that any unauthorized fluids are identified and reported.
Interestingly, Red Bull has previous experience with this potential water-injection tactic, having explored it themselves before the FIA closed the loophole that could have allowed such practices. As the FIA investigates these latest allegations, the scrutiny surrounding McLaren adds another layer of intrigue to the championship race, with fans and teams eagerly anticipating how these developments will unfold in the coming weeks.