Red Bull sent a ‘wild’ letter to the FIA after what they saw on McLaren’s F1 car

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Red Bull are desperately hoping that McLaren’s Canada lull wasn’t a one-off. They will be defending home turf at the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend.

McLaren picked up just 12 points in Montreal, with Oscar Piastri their sole finisher after a collision with Lando Norris. It was already set to be their first race without a podium this season.

Max Verstappen finished second behind George Russell, chipping the gap to championship leader Piastri to 43 points. After the race, he once again played down his title chances.

McLaren’s rivals, chiefly Red Bull, hoped that the FIA’s clampdown on front-wing flexibility at the Spanish GP last month would level the playing field at the front. They scored a one-two in Barcelona, but their performance swung in the other direction last time out.

Unfortunately, the front wing wasn’t the only reason they were dominant. McLaren are leading the way in cooling, which may be their biggest weapon.

FIA closed cooling rules loopholes after Red Bull letter inspired by McLaren

The FIA recently changed the wording of the 2026 F1 regulations, and the suggestion was that McLaren would be most affected. Using devices to ‘cool’ the tyres is now expressly forbidden.

The MCL39’s exceptional tyre temperatures have been the subject of intense scrutiny in the paddock. Most notably, Red Bull pointed a thermal imaging camera at McLaren’s car in the F1 pit lane.

It initially seemed as if McLaren’s undefined ‘tricks’ would be outlawed. But according to a fresh report from The Race, the rule tweak has ‘nothing to do’ with the championship leaders.

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Instead, it’s a response to a ‘wild’ letter sent by Red Bull earlier this year. Christian Horner’s outfit contacted the sport’s governing body with a series of radical tyre-cooling proposals, including one that would channel water from the drivers’ drinks bottles.

Red Bull wanted clarity on what was considered legal. Wary that an expensive and messy development race could erupt in this area, the FIA wanted to clear up any ambiguity.

Christian Horner has done something his rivals aren’t ‘comfortable with’ in 2025

Red Bull have consistently put the FIA under pressure this year. They’ve been trying to find ways to compensate for their performance disadvantage.

For instance, Red Bull warned race control before the Canadian GP that Verstappen’s rivals may try to get him penalised. He’s one penalty point away from a race ban.

After the race, the team lodged a protest against race winner Russell. They felt that he’d exhibited unsportsmanlike behaviour behind the safety car in an effort to land Verstappen in trouble.

The stewards upheld the result of the race, and the team came under fire. Red Bull’s rivals aren’t ‘comfortable’ going as far as Horner does to help his lead driver.