In the 2025 Formula 1 season, McLaren has consistently proven itself to be the team to beat. Out of the 14 races held so far, the papaya-coloured cars have failed to appear on the podium only once. That exception came at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montréal, where Lando Norris made a late-race mistake that sent him into the barriers, while team-mate Oscar Piastri finished just outside the top three in fourth place. In all other rounds, McLaren has been in the fight for victory.
One of the MCL39’s key strengths this season has undoubtedly been its exceptional tyre management. However, in the early part of the year, this advantage was repeatedly questioned by rival teams. Among the most vocal critics was Red Bull Racing, which raised several concerns about how McLaren was able to keep its tyres consistently within the optimal temperature range. The Milton Keynes-based outfit even speculated that McLaren might be using unconventional methods, with extreme rumours suggesting the possible introduction of water inside the tyres to control temperatures.
The FIA was never able to find any evidence to support these claims, and McLaren eventually learned to make light of the allegations coming from its competitors.
Stella: “Our rivals are the first to get distracted”
Team principal Andrea Stella addressed the issue during an interview with The Race. While acknowledging that such investigations could potentially be a distraction, he noted that it is the first time in two decades that McLaren has been under such intense scrutiny. Stella admitted it could take focus away from their own work but pointed out that the same applies to their opponents, stating that their rivals are often so occupied with pursuing these claims that they risk losing focus themselves.
Reflecting further, Stella suggested that this dynamic can actually be beneficial for McLaren. He argued that some team executives, instead of concentrating on the core principles upon which Formula 1 is built, end up spending valuable time in discussions with the FIA and preparing detailed reports. This remark was seen as a pointed reference to former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who was the first to raise such suspicions.
McLaren, for its part, has refused to be drawn into a public war of words. Instead, the Woking-based squad has chosen to remain focused on its own work. Stella explained that this decision came naturally, as the team quickly recognised the accusations as unfounded and lacking substance. As a result, McLaren was able to maintain its concentration and continue its strong form on track.
However, what Stella finds most disappointing is that such baseless accusations can damage the image of a team while also creating unnecessary work for both the FIA and the squad under investigation. In closing his interview, Stella remarked that it is unfortunate teams are able to make frivolous and inconsistent claims. He stressed that this process not only wastes time for those involved but also gives an unfair advantage to the team making the accusations, as it diverts attention from their own performance issues.
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