The secret behind McLaren's 'trick' might now have been revealed.

      "Copying the trick isn't straightforward."

      An expert in Formula 1 believes he has found out how McLaren achieved their competitive edge in tyre performance for 2025.

      "Even on their worst days, they remain the best," commented George Russell from Mercedes when queried about the rapidity with which McLarens heat their tyres and maintain minimal degradation during long stints.

      "It suggests that nine teams are doing something wrong," he added.

      However, it's Red Bull that is voicing dissent regarding McLaren's superiority in tyre performance, insinuating that the team might be injecting water into the Pirellis.

      McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, joked about this theory by carrying a water bottle labeled 'Tyre Water' during the Miami event, while FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem advised Red Bull against making a baseless protest.

      "I agree with Zak that if you make a protest, the expense should come from your cost cap, and you only recover it if you are vindicated," he stated.

      Pirelli’s head Mario Isola also dismissed the 'tyre water' rumor.

      "We continuously track tyre pressure and temperature through sensors," he stated. "Injecting water through the valve or any area of the tyre would be immediately evident in the data. It’s not only highly improbable; it’s nearly impossible given the current FIA monitoring system."

      Nevertheless, an intriguing new hypothesis has surfaced, elaborated upon in Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

      Journalist Michael Schmidt pointed out that last year, Red Bull alleged that McLaren was utilizing temperature sensors on the brakes outside of free practice sessions.

      "It’s also worth noting," he remarked, "that McLaren frequently engages in aggressive long runs in FP3, leaving their competitors far behind. They could be seeking insights under extreme conditions."

      What could McLaren be investigating? Schmidt indicated that he has heard McLaren may be incorporating special 'phase change materials' (PCM) in the brake components.

      PCMs can store and release thermal energy during the transition from solid to liquid, which could account for Red Bull’s observation of moisture occasionally emanating from the McLaren wheel rims.

      "Perhaps fluids were seeping out during the phase transition," Schmidt speculated.

      "Granted, it sounds somewhat outlandish, but it's plausible, and there’s some evidence to back it up. For instance, Red Bull's disruptive claims about water in the tyres."

      Schmidt continued: "Even if McLaren’s competitors are fully aware of what McLaren is up to, replicating the trick isn’t simple."

      He even theorizes that Red Bull might be experimenting with similar materials, which could clarify Max Verstappen’s recent repeated grievances regarding brake performance.

      "When asked if this was linked to tyre cooling, team principal Christian Horner provided only brief responses," Schmidt concluded.