Technical Directive 12/05/25

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Mystery technical directive was issued on 12th May 2025 according to Telegraaf

The FIA came out with a 'technical directive' the Monday before the race in Imola, but McLaren denies it had any influence. There are also no such signs from the FIA as yet.

It is stated within the article that areas concerning the treatment of tyres and wheel bodywork design were subject to the TD

Issued on 12 May, i.e. last Monday, and in force since the first European race of the season. Such an adjustment to the regulations is made following technical meetings held with the 10 teams.
This time, the wheel bodywork design and tyre handling were also highlighted. Of course, in a world like Formula 1, that immediately creates speculation ...

[chrisc90]

Any overview as seems the article is behind a paywall.

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Any overview as seems the article is behind a paywall.

Key part

Another sound in the Formula 1 paddock last weekend was a so-called technical directive from the FIA. Issued on 12 May, i.e. last Monday, and in force since the first European race of the season. Such an adjustment to the regulations is made following technical meetings held with the 10 teams.
This time, the wheel bodywork design and tyre handling were also highlighted. Of course, in a world like Formula 1, that immediately creates speculation that McLaren may have had to adjust in that area. McLaren denies this, pointing mainly to Red Bull's improvement and thinking that the win in Miami may have been a bit of a distortion of the real balance of power. It is also believed within the FIA that McLaren did not have to adjust anything.

[marcel171281]

Mmmm, bit speculative, but after Miami they checked the rear brakes assembly of the McLaren. A mysterious TD pops up a week later, allegedly concerning that area and the first race after, the McLaren has worse tyre deg than the RB. Interesting.

Why am I thinking about the not illegal 2019 Ferrari engine?

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Mmmm, bit speculative, but after Miami they checked the rear brakes assembly of the McLaren. A mysterious TD pops up a week later, allegedly concerning that area and the first race after, the McLaren has worse tyre deg than the RB. Interesting.

Why am I thinking about the not illegal 2019 Ferrari engine?

Also this interview by waché

"I'm not sure it was a big improvement. But there has been growth in the right direction. Maybe we were surprised that the others didn't do better than that."

The asphalt was warmer and it affected our opponents more than us. And we were surprised by that.

They play down their own improvement in the interview and suggest maybe others were too slow and were hurt by the hotter temperatures more and they are surprised.

https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-wa ... /10724213/

[Rikhart]

I am also inclined to believe something was said about rear wings. Mercedes suddenly dropped massively and their RW is suddenly looking much more solid... Do we have Mclaren rear view?

[ScuderiaLeo]

[AR3-GP]

To play devil's advocate, it's weird that the first stories are coming from EvH (Verstappen adjacent) and Thomas Maher (Horner adjacent). I don't doubt that the TDs exist, but something seems off. No Italian sources caught wind of this?

I don't really agree with Wache's take either. The RB21 is more balanced. They underestimate the effect. There improvement is logical.

[Vaexa]

To play devil's advocate, it's weird that the first stories are coming from EvH (Verstappen adjacent) and Thomas Maher (Horner adjacent). I don't doubt that the TDs exist, but something seems off about it all.

EvH is also a very well informed, reliable source and I sincerely doubt he would stake his reputation on a bogus report like this.

[marcel171281]

To play devil's advocate, it's weird that the first stories are coming from EvH (Verstappen adjacent) and Thomas Maher (Horner adjacent). I don't doubt that the TDs exist, but something seems off about it all.

EvH is also a very well informed, reliable source and I sincerely doubt he would stake his reputation on a bogus report like this.

Exactly. His reports are very reliable!

[AR3-GP]

To play devil's advocate, it's weird that the first stories are coming from EvH (Verstappen adjacent) and Thomas Maher (Horner adjacent). I don't doubt that the TDs exist, but something seems off about it all.

EvH is also a very well informed, reliable source and I sincerely doubt he would stake his reputation on a bogus report like this.

I trust EvH about the existence of the TDs. It's moreso the connection to Mclaren which I am doubting ( EvH did not mention Mclaren, but everyone is going to assume it). EvH and Maher have close contacts at Red Bull. They don't usually report on every single TD in the sport.

[marcel171281]

To play devil's advocate, it's weird that the first stories are coming from EvH (Verstappen adjacent) and Thomas Maher (Horner adjacent). I don't doubt that the TDs exist, but something seems off about it all.

EvH is also a very well informed, reliable source and I sincerely doubt he would stake his reputation on a bogus report like this.

I trust EvH about the existence of the TDs. It's moreso the connection to Mclaren which I am doubting ( EvH did not mention Mclaren, but everyone is going to assume it). EvH and Maher are basically Red Bull insiders so it's tempting to make a connection to Mclaren.

EvH is by no means a RB insider. He is a general journalist specialised in F1, with no connections to any of the teams

[AR3-GP]

EvH is also a very well informed, reliable source and I sincerely doubt he would stake his reputation on a bogus report like this.

EvH is by no means a RB insider. He is a general journalist specialised in F1, with no connections to any of the teams.

I trust EvH about the existence of the TDs. It's moreso the connection to Mclaren which I am doubting ( EvH did not mention Mclaren, but everyone is going to assume it). EvH and Maher are basically Red Bull insiders so it's tempting to make a connection to Mclaren.

EvH is by no means a RB insider. He is a general journalist specialised in F1, with no connections to any of the teams.

I know that EvH is independent. I meant that he has inside sources close to Red Bull (among others).

[chrisc90]

Well well well. What a massive coincidence.

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EvH is also a very well informed, reliable source and I sincerely doubt he would stake his reputation on a bogus report like this.

I trust EvH about the existence of the TDs. It's moreso the connection to Mclaren which I am doubting ( EvH did not mention Mclaren, but everyone is going to assume it). EvH and Maher are basically Red Bull insiders so it's tempting to make a connection to Mclaren.

EvH is by no means a RB insider. He is a general journalist specialised in F1, with no connections to any of the teams

But he is one of Verstappen's inner circle. Verstappen uses Telegraaf, Horner uses planetf1, Austrian side of red bull use Motorsport-total etc