McLaren have been cleared of illegally using liquid to cool their tyres following FIA checks after the Miami Grand Prix.
The Woking squad’s dominant start to the 2025 season appeared to raise suspicion among some of their rivals that they have been employing techniques outside of the rules to keep their tyres in an ideal operating window during races.
McLaren Racing chief executive Zak Brown even brought a bottle with ‘tire water’ written on it to the pit wall in Miami, making light of rivals’ suspicions.
Ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the FIA released a technical delegate’s report from the previous race, that took place in Miami on May 4, which stated Drivers’ Championship leader Oscar Piastri’s McLaren had been randomly chosen for post-race checks.
The document said: “After the race in Miami car number 81 was randomly chosen among the top ten cars for more
extensive physical inspections.
“Subject to these physical inspections were the wheel bodywork assemblies. The following checks were carried out on all corners: The compliance of all components with TR Article 3.13. Physical checks for compliance with TR Article 11.5 on all four corners.
“All inspected components were found to be in conformance with the 2025 Formula One Technical Regulations.”
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Highlights of the Miami Grand Prix
Article 3.13 refers to wheel bodywork, while article 11.5 states that liquid cooling of brakes is forbidden.
The document stated that Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari was also found to be compliant having been checked for elements including steering wheel assembly and the clutch operating device.
Piastri: I had no concerns | Verstappen: You have to give McLaren credit
Piastri has won four out of six races so far this season, including the last three, but McLaren’s margin of victory in Miami caught the eye as he and team-mate Lando Norris finished more than half a minute clear of Mercedes’ George Russell in third.
The Australian, who holds a 16-point lead over Norris at the top of the drivers’ standings as he seeks a maiden title, insists he was never concerned by speculation that McLaren could be breaking the rules.
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Oscar Piastri pulls out the ‘Griddy’ dance for his post-race celebrations and then instantly regrets it!
Following the release of the document on Thursday, Piastri said: “I honestly haven’t read anything because I’ve not been concerned.
“Maybe next time we’ll put some little figurines in a water slide as well. We’ll come up with something.
“Clearly it’s all been passed. I had no concerns, so play on.”
Asked if Red Bull were happy with the situation, Max Verstappen said: “I have also never said that it was not fine. They are clearly doing something very clever, and you have to give them credit for it.”
Sky Sports F1’s Emilia Romagna GP Schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Friday May 16
8.50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Emilia Romagna GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
2pm: F3 Qualifying
2.55pm: F2 Qualifying
3:40pm: Emilia Romagna GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday May 17
9am: F3 Sprint
11:15am: Emilia Romagna GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.10pm: Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: EMILIA ROMAGNA GP QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday May 18
7.25am: F3 Feature Race
8.55am: F2 Feature Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Emilia Romagna GP build-up
2pm: The EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Emilia Romagna GP reaction
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
*Also live on Sky Sports Main Event
F1’s European season begins with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
