The FIA issued F1 teams with multiple technical directives last week, in the run up to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, RacingNews365 understands.
This comes following multiple reports the motorsport governing body published new guidelines, pertaining to the treatment of tyres and wheel bodywork.
Max Verstappen won the round at the famed Imola Circuit, snapping Oscar Piastri's three-grand prix win streak in the process.
The Dutchman has now moved to just 22 points behind the McLaren driver in the constructors' standings, with the other MCL39 of Lando Norris only nine points ahead of the Red Bull man.
The significance of this development lies in the fact McLaren has enjoyed superior brake cooling and tyre management throughout the F1 season thus far, something that was not the case at Imola, where the RB21 appeared to deal better with tyre degradation - it was one of the keys to Verstappen's victory.
It raises questions as to whether the Woking-based squad was therefore affected by the technical directives, which are not routinely published by the FIA to media.
Such guidelines are intended to prevent loopholes in F1, with teams often encroaching upon the limits of the championship's regulations. As a result, the FIA often uses technical directives to clarify matters or grey areas.
Whilst it has become evident in recent rounds that McLaren has developed a clever way to better control tyre temperatures through its brake drums, the papaya squad has denied it had to make any changes ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, or that it affected the pecking order.
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes and Nick Golding, as they are joined by former Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski to look back on Imola and look ahead to Monaco! Max Verstappen's victory is a lead talking point, as is McLaren suffering a surprise defeat.
Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!
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