With the 2025 Formula 1 season heating up, McLaren has broken its silence following public accusations of gaining an “unfair” advantage — just as the FIA officially introduces a new technical directive on front wing flexing at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The controversy erupted after Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull star Max Verstappen, blasted the FIA’s timing of the new regulation. He claims McLaren benefitted from a loophole that allowed their front wing to flex beyond what some consider legal — a situation that, according to Verstappen Sr., should have been addressed much earlier.
“There should be a level playing field,” Jos Verstappen told De Limburger. “Like with those flexible front wings, which will only be banned from next week in Spain. Certain teams have benefited from that for too long — I don’t think that’s fair.”
In response, McLaren issued a statement firmly rejecting the accusations and defending the legality of their design.
“We welcome the FIA’s technical clarifications and will comply fully with the new regulations introduced this weekend in Spain,” a McLaren spokesperson said. “All components of our car, including the front wing, have passed scrutineering at every round of the championship. Our focus remains on innovation within the rules — and on-track performance.”
The FIA has also weighed in with an official confirmation of the rule change ahead of the race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
“Starting from the Spanish Grand Prix, revised load tests and more stringent deflection criteria for front wing assemblies will be implemented to ensure compliance with Article 3.9.3 of the Technical Regulations,” the FIA said in a statement. “This update is part of our ongoing process to ensure technical fairness and prevent excessive aerodynamic flexing that could lead to an unintended competitive advantage.”
While Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that the update may not flip the championship on its head, he admitted it could shake up the pecking order.
“It might not change the title race overall,” Vasseur told reporters, “but I expect tighter weekends and more unpredictable qualifying and race results starting in Spain. It’s a positive move.”
Heading into the Spanish Grand Prix, McLaren leads the constructors’ standings by 176 points, while Max Verstappen remains just 25 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri. With technical scrutiny now intensifying, the next phase of the 2025 season could be more competitive than ever — and McLaren knows the pressure is on.
As the FIA begins to close technical loopholes, Red Bull may finally be poised to launch a full-force counterattack — starting this weekend in Barcelona.
