Last year, rumours started to spread in the paddock about McLaren having a secret advantage when it came to tyre management. While nothing was ever proven, some teams suspected that the Woking-based outfit had found a clever way to keep their tyres in the ideal temperature window for longer periods. This ability is extremely valuable in Formula 1, both in qualifying and during races, where tyre temperatures play a crucial role in performance and consistency.

Now, the topic has returned in a rather unexpected way. During the Miami Grand Prix weekend, McLaren boss Zak Brown was spotted holding a drink bottle with a label that read “TIRE WATER”. In Formula 1, the British spelling “tyre” is normally used, but in the United States “tire” is common. Whether this was a joke or a subtle reference to the ongoing rumours, it didn’t go unnoticed and sparked fresh discussions in the paddock.

Red Bull in particular is very interested in how McLaren is working with its tyres this season. According to the German outlet Auto Motor und Sport, the team from Milton Keynes has been using thermal cameras during pit stops to gather data on McLaren’s brake cooling system, which can influence tyre temperatures. The cameras showed that McLaren’s rear brakes display a lot of blue areas in thermal imaging, meaning they are unusually cool.

In contrast, the same parts on other cars appear in red or orange, which indicates higher temperatures. Red Bull believes it is impossible to achieve such levels of cooling with air alone.

McLaren insists there is no secret device or banned system involved. The team explains that its tyre performance comes from a combination of strong aerodynamic downforce, excellent balance, and a few technical innovations. These innovations might include advanced airflow through brake ducts, special materials that regulate heat, or other clever but legal solutions.

Whatever the truth is, it’s clearly working. McLaren has won four of the first five races of the season, and both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been able to maintain excellent tyre performance in a variety of conditions.

Their advantage is especially noticeable in races, where the McLaren cars seem to suffer less from overheating and tyre degradation. In qualifying, the soft tyres stay in their optimal window throughout the push lap, helping the drivers extract the most from the car.

During the race, this means they can drive faster for longer, while rivals struggle with overheating and loss of grip. A good example was the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where Piastri managed to hold off Max Verstappen and even set his fastest lap at the very end of the race.

Although suspicions remain, the FIA has looked into the matter and found no evidence that McLaren is breaking the rules. Still, Red Bull and its sister team Racing Bulls continue to raise questions, hoping to uncover something more.