Ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Red Bull has reportedly raised questions with the FIA regarding the legality of the rear brake drums on McLaren’s MCL38.
A small hole spotted on the MCL38’s rear brake drum has sparked intrigue, with the suspicion being that it aids airflow and crucial tyre temperature management.
Regulations allow this extra hole for sensor use during practice sessions, but it needs to be covered during races.
According to a report from Auto Motor und Sport, Red Bull claims this requirement has been ignored by McLaren in several events.
F1 teams have long sought a way to manage the heat generated by the brakes inside the drum, ensuring it doesn't lead to tyre overheating that compromises performance.
According to AMuS, the FIA investigated the issue and determined that the holes in the brake drums were covered in the last two races at the Red Bull Ring and at Silverstone.
Interestingly, at the Austrian race, McLaren’s Lando Norris displayed superior tyre life in the closing stages of the event, pressuring Max Verstappen after a Red Bull pit-stop mishap, just before the pair’s run-in.
Whether McLaren only addressed the issue after Red Bull's complaint remains unclear, but the FIA seems to have deemed it compliant at this point.
With the spotlight on their brake drums, McLaren's tyre management at the Hungaroring will obviously be under close scrutiny this weekend, especially with the hot temperatures and the circuit's nature emphasizing efficient tyre care.
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