Max Verstappen reveals Red Bull tool to unravel McLaren trick

Max Verstappen has revealed that Red Bull is employing artificial intelligence (AI) to decipher how McLaren is effectively managing tire wear over long race distances.

The McLaren team has established itself as the dominant force in the early stages of the current Formula 1 season, securing victories in five of the first six races. Their primary advantage lies in their ability to preserve the Pirelli tire compounds throughout a race, which enables them to build a significant lead over their competitors.

Recent reports suggest that Red Bull has identified a potential 'trick' employed by McLaren: lower temperatures in the brake drums than anticipated. The Milton Keynes-based team is reportedly exploring ways to replicate this legal advantage.

When questioned about the possibility of resolving tire wear issues during the season, Verstappen commented to select media: "I think it's a little different now. They are just very clever over there [at McLaren]."

Red Bull is currently third in the constructors' championship, with Verstappen being the primary point scorer for the team. To close the performance gap and consistently contend for the lead, Red Bull has turned to AI for a deeper understanding of the systems McLaren utilizes.

"We are working on it," Verstappen stated. "It's not easy, otherwise everyone would already have it on the car. We are talking about it, of course. I must say, AI is very good for it. You can analyse a lot of things with that."

Verstappen emphasized the importance of addressing Red Bull's primary concern: tire overheating. "We first have to make sure our tyres don't overheat," he added. "That is still our biggest problem. We can put 10 more updates on the car, but the most important thing is to have those tyres in control."