Former Red Bull technician Rob Marshall is reportedly responsible for the ‘secret trick’ that enables McLaren to effectively cool their tyres. During the recent Miami Grand Prix, the papayas achieved another one-two finish. Drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris also crossed the finish line with a substantial lead. The secret is said to lie in the ventilation of the brake drums, a design Marshall has been working on for some time.
While many drivers in Miami complained about tyre temperatures and the rapid degradation of the Pirelli rubber, McLaren seemed to easily pull ahead. Max Verstappen later stated that he was ‘completely hopeless’ against Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. George Russell, who finished third, and Christian Horner also indicated that McLaren was performing at a different level. According to Auto, Motor und Sport, this is all due to the ‘secret trick’ that allows the MCL39 to cool its tyres.
‘Secret Trick’
McLaren has reportedly found a clever solution for air circulation in the brake drums. The team manages to keep the brakes warm while the tyres remain cool. The secret lies in the interior of the drums. While their external shape is standardized, teams have complete design freedom internally, provided no explicit cooling elements are used. The British team also has no restrictions in their choice of materials.
“Perhaps McLaren has managed to circulate the air in such a way that it remains cool in the most crucial areas,” an insider told the German media. “In addition, they could shield the heat by using specific materials.” Rob Marshall, Technical Director at the British racing team, is seen as the creator of the system. He is believed to have been carrying the design around for years, but only now has the opportunity to implement it in practice. This is particularly bitter for Red Bull, who worked with Marshall for seventeen years before he moved to McLaren in 2024.
Rob Marshall was on the podium representing McLaren during the opening race in Melbourne (Red Bull Content Pool).
