Red Bull’s F1 sidepod catches rivals’ attention after rule exploitation claim

Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Red Bull’s new sidepod design hasn’t gone unnoticed in the paddock, especially after they rolled out a series of upgrades during the 2026 Miami Grand Prix.

F1’s five-week layoff gave teams plenty of time to fine-tune their upgrade plans, and Red Bull made good use of that window. It had been a rough start to the season for them, but those changes were aimed at turning things around.

In Miami, one of Red Bull’s main goals was trimming weight from the RB22. Reports suggested it was about 10kg overweight at the start of the year. They also introduced their version of the Macarena rear wing, which featured a wider opening compared to Ferrari’s take on it.

Red Bull’s sidepod changes raise eyebrows in Miami

Red Bull rolled out a new sidepod design in Miami, even after unveiling a different version at the previous round in Japan. The changes seemed to work well for Max Verstappen, who qualified second, but Isack Hadjar found it harder to get comfortable.

The sharp fence at the rear corner of the sidepod where it meets the floor caught attention, with some surprised by its shape. According to The Race, other teams didn’t think such a design would be ‘possible’ under current rules.

Unlike Mercedes and Ferrari, who have gentler slopes on their sidepods, and McLaren, whose design is closer but less steep, Red Bull’s approach features a more pronounced edge. Where others have rounded transitions between the sidepod and floor, Red Bull’s stands out with a sharper profile.

The FIA views Red Bull’s approach as a legal interpretation of the regulations. By splitting the rear section so it isn’t classified as part of the sidepod, they avoid some of the usual checks and criteria applied to that area of the car.

Other teams have had time to study images since then and may try similar solutions before F1 heads to Montreal on May 22-24.