F1 News: Red Bull Launches Attack on McLaren With Accusation of Cheating at Brazil

Alex Harrington | Nov 2, 2024

McLaren Formula 1 Team driver Lando Norris of Team Great Britain races in the Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas Sunday October 20, 2024. / Jay Janner/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Formula 1 paddock has once again ignited with controversy as Red Bull accuses McLaren of resorting to underhanded tactics over the weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The allegations suggest McLaren has been filling its tires with water to improve cooling, as reported by Auto Motor und Sport. This accusation comes amid an already tense 2024 season, with both teams frequently clashing over compliance and regulations.

The focal point of Red Bull's accusations is the claim that McLaren has been adding water into the tire valves, a method believed to maintain an ideal tire temperature, thus providing a considerable advantage on the track.

Earlier in the season, Red Bull had accused McLaren of deploying a flexible rear wing, a claim that eventually forced McLaren to discard the design post-investigation. McLaren responded by pointing fingers back at Red Bull, alleging adjustments were made to the underbody height of Red Bull’s cars. The FIA's inquiry into these accusations deemed Red Bull's designs legitimate while necessitating changes to McLaren's modifications.

Tire management in Formula 1 is a highly regulated domain, overseen meticulously by Pirelli, the sport's exclusive tire provider. With technicians present at every event, any unsanctioned modifications would be difficult to execute without detection. Following each race, thorough analyses of the tires are conducted, which would easily reveal any foreign substances such as water. Yet, as the FIA investigates the current claims, Pirelli's findings have not indicated any discrepancies thus far.

Historically, Formula 1 teams are known to test the limits of technical regulations in pursuit of performance gains, often leading to an ongoing cat-and-mouse dynamic with the FIA.

These evolving controversies are of particular consequence considering the closely contested constructors' and drivers' championships this season. McLaren, powered by the resurgence led by driver Lando Norris and his talented teammate Oscar Piastri, has been vying at the top alongside Red Bull, who remain the team to beat with Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez spearheading their campaign. Thus, any potential findings or sanctions stemming from these investigations could seriously influence the championship outcomes.

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