Has McLaren’s Secret Formula Been Exposed?
McLaren’s resurgence in the 2025 season has been nothing short of spectacular. Following their constructor’s title in 2024, the team from Woking has produced a dominant car that has left their competitors in the dust. But what exactly is McLaren’s secret formula, and has it been uncovered?
In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, tire management is crucial for securing victory on the track. Finding the perfect balance to ensure tires reach the optimal temperature for peak performance is a challenging task. However, McLaren seems to have cracked the code when it comes to managing tire temperatures effectively.
During the Miami Grand Prix, McLaren delivered a jaw-dropping 1-2 finish with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris crossing the finish line over 30 seconds ahead of the nearest competitor. The team’s ability to preserve tire performance was evident, showcasing the significant advantage it provided on the track.
While McLaren’s top brass, Andrea Stella and Zak Brown, have downplayed any suggestion of foul play, F1 experts and rival teams believe that McLaren has harnessed a clever and legal trick that gives them a substantial edge: Phase Change Materials (PCMs).
But what exactly are Phase Change Materials, and how could McLaren be using them to gain an advantage on the track? PCMs are substances that absorb and release large amounts of heat as they transition between solid and liquid states, maintaining a constant temperature during the process. Widely used in construction, packaging, electronics, and textiles, PCMs offer passive and efficient temperature regulation – making them ideal for applications like McLaren’s suspected tire cooling system.
The theory of McLaren utilizing PCMs traces back to engineer Martin Buchan, who eight years ago developed a doctoral thesis at McLaren exploring the use of these materials. By strategically incorporating PCMs into their car design, McLaren could potentially mitigate the extreme heat generated by the brakes, preventing it from reaching the tires and causing overheating.
The passive thermal management system enabled by PCMs does not rely on electronics or moving parts, ensuring compliance with FIA regulations. Despite previous speculations regarding McLaren’s alleged use of water for tire cooling in 2024, the focus has shifted to PCMs as the potential game-changer, especially after Zak Brown jokingly drank from a bottle labeled “Tire Water” post the Miami race.
While McLaren has not faced any official protests regarding the use of PCMs, their rivals are growing increasingly suspicious as the team continues to dominate the races. With the spotlight now on McLaren’s innovative approach to tire management, it’s only a matter of time before the FIA intensifies scrutiny. The question remains: Has McLaren’s secret formula finally been exposed?
