F1 News: Red Bull lodged technical complaint against McLaren

(GMM) Red Bull suspects 2024 championship rival McLaren may have been bending the rules to help with tire cooling.

Team consultant Dr Helmut Marko admitted he was amazed at this year’s rapidly improving McLaren last time out at Silverstone.

“When we had the McLaren behind us, they were literally flying,” he told Speed Week. “It was unbelievable. They were a second or more faster than us and also than the Mercedes.”

Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko arrives in the Paddock on a tender during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 23, 2024 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Marko’s comments coincide with a new report at Auto Motor und Sport, revealing that “Red Bull recently discovered an additional hole on the brake ventilation drums of the McLaren MCL38 at the front and rear that shouldn’t be there”.

It is believed the hole could simply be to access a sensor, which is commonplace up and down pitlane, although correspondent Michael Schmidt explained: “Red Bull suspects McLaren created an additional cooling channel that is not allowed”.

A photo of the offending hole covered by silver tape is published in the German magazine’s report.

“According to Red Bull’s observations,” said Schmidt, “the holes were apparently open at some races. After a complaint, the FIA took a closer look.

“At the last two grands prix,” the respected journalist added, “the sensor access points were closed, as required by the rules.