Another secret behind McLaren's dominance has been revealed.

      Another aspect of McLaren's supremacy might have come to light. Amid the flexible wings and swirling rumors regarding how the team manages to extend tire lifespan more than any competitor, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris continue to excel. Many secrets remain undisclosed yet are speculated about in the paddock, as stated by Auto Motor und Sport journalist Michael Schmidt.

      "It’s unclear why McLaren consistently takes risks during the largely inconsequential FP3, astonishing their rivals with impressive lap times," he remarked. "Or why the mechanics congregate in front of the car to conceal it while they attend to the brake vents. Or why the cars on the grid are the only ones positioned without rear tires."

      "The rear wheels are always attached at the last moment," Schmidt pointed out. "The competition still has several enigmas to decipher." However, one of those enigmas may have recently surfaced.

      A peculiar tank has been spotted in an area only visible when the complete front nose assembly is detached from the vehicle - and the distinctive gold-colored tank remains connected. Some speculate it could be a storage for dry ice pertaining to cockpit cooling. Schmidt elaborates: "The arrangement of the front wing, front axle geometry, wishbones, and the Venturi ducts at the front creates a configuration that centralizes the downforce - exactly where the driver is seated."

      "This is why McLaren has implemented its own cockpit cooling. A special fluid circulates through a network of cooling ducts. The edges of the underbody, sidepods, and rear brake vents are fashioned to generate air vortices that effectively seal the space between the diffuser and the rear wheels."

      The distinctive cooling mechanism might also clarify why McLaren has recently appeared unaffected by the engine reliability issues that have plagued all other Mercedes-powered teams in 2025 - including the factory team.

      "The overall cooling of the car has been enhanced," Schmidt remarked, "removing the necessity for airflow-restricting exhaust gills in the bodywork. The car disperses less heat in general, which is advantageous for the tires. The air duct situated between the two brake drums is crafted to protect the brake heat from a specific point against the inner rim wall."

      "It remains uncertain whether phase-change metals are utilized as heat shields," the German journalist continued. "McLaren has not provided any comments on the situation."

      In the meantime, Piastri has stated that he will adopt a much different strategy compared to the highly aggressive Max Verstappen while defending his championship lead.

      "I won’t alter my approach with the title in mind," he declared. "I’ll continue to race the way I always have. I generally aim to be intelligent and avoid trouble. There’s a wise saying - sometimes it’s better to just remain in the race than to assert your correctness. I try to embrace that mindset."

      The Australian added: "I don’t view this season as my sole opportunity. It could be, of course, but I don’t see any benefit in adding unnecessary pressure by thinking it's a life-or-death situation. I’m at the very onset of my career."