Last Updated on March 1 2025, 10:01 pm
Controversy erupts ahead of F1 season opener as McLaren and Ferrari face allegations of cheating over wing regulations – The anticipation surrounding the start of the 2025 Formula One season has quickly turned from excitement to controversy, as two of the sport’s most storied teams, McLaren and Ferrari, find themselves at the centre of a potential scandal.
Just days before the season opener in Melbourne, Red Bull have accused both teams of exploiting a loophole in the newly revised aerodynamic regulations. Red Bull’s technical director, Pierre Wache, is adamant that the issue will not go unnoticed and hints that there could be consequences.
With minimal changes to the regulations from last year, the most significant change for the 2025 season relates to the design and functionality of the rear wing. The new regulations restrict the Drag Reduction System (DRS) to a small opening when not in active use. The move is intended to eliminate the so-called “mini-DRS effect”, which previously gave teams a speed advantage even outside designated DRS zones. However, according to Wache, this advantage has not disappeared completely.
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Red Bull accuses McLaren and Ferrari of breaking the rules
Red Bull’s technical department has meticulously analysed data and footage from the recent pre-season tests in Bahrain, where they claim to have identified McLaren and Ferrari continuing to benefit from the banned “mini-DRS effect”. If their suspicions prove correct, it could mean the two teams are in breach of the FIA’s latest aerodynamic restrictions.
“It’s still being done. I think Ferrari and McLaren are still using this mini-DRS thing,” Wache told The Race. When asked if he thought the two teams’ innovative wings would be a major issue at the start of the season, he was unequivocal. “It will be, because it’s quite noticeable,” he said, hinting that the FIA will probably have to intervene.
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McLaren’s history with Mini DRS comes back to haunt them
McLaren were the first team to cause controversy over the mini-DRS effect in 2024, when they introduced a rear wing design in Baku that left the smaller DRS flaps slightly open, even outside the designated activation zones. The innovation gave the team a small but measurable speed advantage, which quickly drew protests from rivals.
The outcry from other teams was so strong that the FIA stepped in and introduced rule changes for 2025 to ensure that such designs would be banned. However, despite these revisions, on-board footage from the recent Bahrain test sessions suggests that certain rear wings – particularly those of McLaren and Ferrari – are still flexing more than expected.
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Teams call for FIA investigation as Melbourne approaches
Several teams are already voicing their concerns and urging the FIA to take action before the first race of the season. One anonymous team principal expressed his frustration in an interview with The Race: “From the videos we’ve seen, some of the rear wings look very mobile. It’s something we’re keeping a very close eye on.
The renewed controversy puts immense pressure on the FIA to investigate whether McLaren and Ferrari have found a way around the updated regulations. Given the sport’s history of technical grey areas and rule interpretations, this could lead to a significant debate over whether these designs are legal innovations or outright breaches of the regulations.
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FIA’s first real test of new regulations
With the season opener in Melbourne just days away, all eyes will be on the FIA’s response. The governing body is expected to carry out thorough checks on all cars before the first Grand Prix weekend. These tests will determine whether McLaren and Ferrari’s rear wing designs comply with the revised rules, or whether they have indeed found a way to exploit a loophole.
Should the FIA rule that these teams have breached the regulations, the potential penalties could range from forced modifications to outright disqualification. On the other hand, if McLaren and Ferrari’s designs are deemed legal, it could push other teams to adopt similar concepts in a bid to stay competitive.
With Red Bull leading the way in calling for an investigation, this controversy is unlikely to die down any time soon. Whether it leads to penalties, further rule changes or simply another chapter in Formula One’s ongoing technical battles, the 2025 season is off to a dramatic start before a single race has been run.
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Red Bull’s star driver hopes for stronger 2025 season – Max Verstappen, now a four-time world champion, has set his sights on a more competitive season with Red Bull’s RB21. After taking the wheel of the new challenger during pre-season testing in Bahrain, the Dutchman expressed a mixture of optimism and realism. Reflecting on the turbulent 2024 season, he made his stance clear: “It can’t be worse than last year.”
After a dominant start to 2024, Red Bull’s performance took a worrying dip, allowing McLaren and Ferrari to close in. What initially looked like another runaway title season for Verstappen and his team turned into an uphill battle.
With just two wins in the final 14 races, an increasingly unpredictable car and inconsistent performances, Red Bull ended the year far from where they had hoped. Now, with a new season ahead, Verstappen and the team are eager to put those struggles behind them…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
It’s a surprise that Red Bull have accused another team of cheating! 😅😂😲
Why is that then? Are you referring to the ride height device that they were cleared of?
How about their driver deliberately forcing others off the road and gaining an advantage!
How about their driver consistently crashing into other drivers and showing no remorse!
How about baiting the race director in order to change race rules so max could win the championship!
Would that be enough?
Haha, let me quess, you don’t actually like racing unless your favourite driver wins?
All the greats were known for being harsh racers- Senna, Schumacher, even Hamilton when younger. Maybe you should find another sport to watch.
Max is such a poor loser, and thinks he can pull off these dangerous moves as and when it takes his fancy, it’s not competitive racing when you have to force other drivers off the track to make sure you win and it’s about time the FIA clamped down on him, but he seems to think he can tell the FIA what to do, same as his dad.
When you stop going for overtakes, you stop being a racer 😉
I’m sure if your favourite driver, whoever that is that Max keeps beating, did the same you would be happy with it 😉
Get in Keith, the truth is out there.
I love the fact that most of these comments are made by people who have never raced on a track, wheel to wheel…lol..
Max cheated by Forcing. Other drivers off, yes Schumacher used to cheat as well. Forcing others off should have been dealt with in 2021. But Max was left to keep doing it and then continued to do it to Norris.
That is Not part of Racing. If it were, everyone would do it.
I hope for the sake of F1 that Red bull and Verstappen get nothing. Lastly max has an actual teammate that will take points from him. Not that awful Perez lol.
If your on about cheating what about mclaren and there rear wing opening outwith the DRS zone and getting away with it max is a very competitive driver and if your going to overtake a driver stay within the white lines