McLaren cleared of F1 trickery again after 'comprehensive' FIA inspection
The legality of McLaren's dominant F1 car has once again been signed off by the FIA after an "extensive physical inspection" following the Miami Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri won his fourth race of the season and led teammate Lando Norris home for the team's second 1-2 finish of the year. They finished more than 30 seconds up the road of the Mercedes of George Russell in third.
The early-season dominance of the papaya cars has been largely attributed to their ability to keep rear tyre temperature under control, particularly in warm conditions. Miami was the hottest race of the year to-date.
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As early as last year, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner suggested McLaren were putting water or some other fluid in the tyres or onto the brake system to lower temperatures, which is strictly forbidden.
Oscar Piastri celebrating his victory at the Miami Grand Prix. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ahead of the Miami weekend, Horner made similar comments, which prompted a friendly jab back from McLaren boss Zak Brown, who in practice drank from a water bottle covered in 'tire water' labels.
German publication Auto Motor und Sport later reported Red Bull had sourced thermal imaging in Miami that showed a cool spot on the McLaren's rear brakes.
Having already been cleared of any wrongdoing by regular post-race scrutineering, a technical document released ahead of this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix revealed Piastri's race-winning car had been the subject of a random "extensive physical inspection".
The inspection comes despite Red Bull not submitting a formal protest against the legality of the bodywork. It, too, found nothing untoward in McLaren's rear brakes.
"After the race in Miami, (Piastri's car) was randomly chosen among the ten cars for more extensive physical inspections," the FIA report read.
"Subject to these physical inspections were the wheel bodywork assemblies."
The FIA specifically stated the the rear brake system and surrounding bodywork had been checked.
"All inspected components were found to be in conformance with the 2025 Formula One Technical Regulations," it concluded.
Piastri carries into the Imola race weekend a 16-point lead over Lando Norris in the championship standings.
Practice begins on Friday evening (AEST), before lights out at 11pm Sunday.
