Could these holes in the brake drum be helping to cool the tyre? If the other teams do not have holes in the brake drum then I guess the answer is yes, but surely it cannot be that simple and some other tech is happening inside.
I find it amazing that Formula One is the pinnacle for motorsport when it comes to innovation and developing new technology yet regulations change in order to hinder this. Teams have strict guidelines and there is always going to be grey areas where the teams stay legal yet push the boundaries.
We saw a few years ago when Mercedes were the dominant force and instead of allowing the team to continue dominating the sport the FIA changed the rules regarding down force making the teams level again. It is as though they are scared that one team dominates and they want them all competing at the same levels.
I do think if you can develop new technology or use new types of materials this should be applauded as this is how you get one up on your rivals. The Formula One rules are different to other motor sports in that you have to design and manufacture the car including all components except the engine. The power unit or engine can be from another supplier which helps reduce the overall costs. Supplying engines just for your team was happening but we have seen that idea lose appeal as Renault abandoned this idea with this season being the last time we see that happening. Maybe Audi and General Motors will change that again when they are fully operational as teams in the sport.
McLaren are dominating this seasons drivers and construction championships tables and they have some type of advanced technology advantage with regard to keeping their tyres temperature controlled in a fixed window that allows them to perform for much longer before they start to degrade. Having the extra grip allows for quicker lap times for far longer and no other team has managed to come up with how this is being done.
Not surprisingly the FIA have double checked how this is being done and say this is legal, but this will not be allowed for 2026. The ability to cool the wheel hub and brakes which does not over heat the tyre allowing the tyre to remain far cooler for far longer is an advantage that a team should be allowed to use if they developed this technology.
The FIA have moved to close such loopholes, pointing out that devices targeting the cooling of the “Complete Wheels” are prohibited.
source
This is what changed when we can see that certain words have been removed.
McLaren are legal for 2025, but not 2026.
The engineers that the teams employ are the smartest in the business and there job is to develop anything that can make their car go faster whilst remaining legal. These ideas do not just happen overnight and can take years to develop and I guess McLaren will "shelf" this technology or find another work around because it has helped them this season and you don't just give up om something that works. The problem is the regulation now states "complete wheels" cannot be cooled so how and where this tech can be used is an unknown and depends on the tech. The FIA obviously know how this works and this cooling affect is not created by aero dynamics and is far smarter.
You would like to think the FIA would want crazy types of technological advancements to be going on as long as they are safe and legal and within the rules yet each time we see one team pulling away they are pulled back. Staying out in front is very difficult as it is clear the FIA does not want one dominant team as that is not good for growing the sport and they want to see close exciting races each week with increased viewing numbers.