Oscar Piastri and McLaren officially cleared of wrongdoing following investigation of car’s brake system

Formula One’s governing body has concluded its investigation into gun Australian driver Oscar Piastri and his high-flying McLaren car.

The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) issued a statement on Friday, clearing the team of wrongdoing following an “extensive physical inspection” of the car.

The inspection came after McLaren’s impressive 1-2 quinella at the recent Miami Grand Prix, where Piastri and his teammate Lando Norris dominated.

It also follows a lot of noise from Red Bull boss Christian Horner who has repeatedly aired suspicions about McLaren’s rear brake design.

The 24-year-old Melburnian is currently the series leader this season after winning four of the opening six races.

But Horner has been suggesting McLaren are using a secret and illegal cooling system on the rear brake drum.

However, the FIA found no evidence to support those allegations.

“After the race in Miami, car No. 81 (Piastri) was randomly chosen among the 10 cars for more extensive physical inspections,” the FIA said.

“Subject to these physical inspections were the wheel bodywork assemblies.

“The following checks were carried out on all corners: The compliance of all components with TR Article 3.13. Physical checks for compliance with TR Article 11.5 on all four corners.

“All inspected components were found to be in conformance with the 2025 Formula One Technical Regulations.”

It is the second time the FIA have looked at Piastri’s McLaren and ticked off the car.

The car was also reviewed at last year’s Singapore Grand Prix.

Horner first questioned McLaren’s brakes last year.

He again hinted that the rival team was up to something after Piastri and Norris both went past pole-sitter Max Verstappen in Miami.

Red Bull’s Verstappen gave up his lead on lap 13 after braking too late at the first corner, losing more ground to Norris five laps later.

Verstappen could only lament his luck on the team radio: “F*** brakes, man. Honestly useless,” he was heard saying.

The Miami weather produced the hottest track temperature of the season so far.

And it is widely known that the McLaren cars are handling the hot tracks better than any other team.

Adding fuel to the Horner fire is that his man Verstappen has been on pole for half the races this season when tyre management is not a factor.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown poked fun at Horner in Miami when he was seen with a water bottle that was clearly labelled ‘TIRE WATER!’.

“(The bottle) was poking fun at a serious issue, which is teams have historically made allegations of other teams,” Brown later said.

“Most recently one team focuses on that strategy more than others.”