McLaren mechanics keep doing something in the garage that is puzzling their F1 rivals, ‘a privacy screen’

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McLaren has been the team everyone wants to beat in F1 2025 after putting together an impressive start to their Constructors’ Championship defence.

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris lead the drivers’ title race and are separated by just 10 points after nine races, having finished consistently inside the top three places.

Rival teams have attempted to curtail McLaren, with Red Bull lobbying for a change to the front wing specifications after the Mini DRS saga last season.

The team appeared to be unaffected by the recent front wing technical directive that was put in place at the Spanish GP, with Piastri comfortably winning by over 10 seconds to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

The MCL39 is clearly a superior package, but there are still some unanswered questions according to journalist Michael Schmidt in AMuS.

McLaren mechanics set up screen when working on brakes

McLaren’s rivals were also suspicious of their brake duct design, having theorised that they could be using them to manipulate tyre temperatures.

But subsequent post-race scrutineering at the Miami Grand Prix confirmed that they were legal, after it was stripped down to see if it complied with the regulations.

According to Schmidt, what is still unexplained is why mechanics continue to set up screens when working on the ducts among other ‘puzzles’ for rivals.

“It is also unclear why McLaren always goes to the limit in the actually meaningless third training session and shocks the opponents with fabulous times. Or why the mechanics set themselves up as a privacy screen in front of the car when working on the brake ventilation,” wrote Schmidt.

“Or why the cars in the starting grid are the only ones with the covers off at the back. The rear wheels are always mounted at the last minute. The competition still has to decipher some puzzles.”

McLaren faces difficult task with their two drivers

McLaren are now likely facing an intra-team battle with both of their drivers, given how close both Norris and Piastri are on points.

Piastri leads the way with more race wins than Norris, with five victories so far in 2025 and him looking to add to that tally in the European swing.

Emerson Fittipaldi thinks McLaren now faces double the pressure with the duo, given they will be taking points away from each other.

McLaren will be wary of the consequences of their drivers losing points, although Zak Brown has stated that he wants to avoid team orders in 2025.