Red Bull debuts revised sidepod and floor upgrade at Mexico GP to boost RB22 performance

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Red Bull has introduced a significant aerodynamic upgrade package on Max Verstappen’s RB22 for the Mexico City Grand Prix, aiming to sharpen its competitive edge at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The team’s latest development includes a reworked engine cover designed to improve cooling efficiency, alongside a revised sidepod design and a new floor-to-sidepod split line. These changes target enhanced airflow beneath the radiator inlet, seeking to increase local downforce while maintaining the car’s stability.

This upgrade marks Red Bull as the only leading team to bring a performance-focused update to the Mexican race weekend, with most rivals concentrating on adding extra cooling louvres to cope with the circuit’s unique demands. The sidepod modifications are integrated with the existing geometry, reflecting Red Bull’s intent to refine rather than overhaul its current aerodynamic concept. The team hopes these refinements will continue the momentum gained from Verstappen’s dominant victories in Malaysia and Singapore, where the RB22 has been widely regarded as the benchmark car.

Verstappen, currently fourth in the drivers’ championship and trailing Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ George Russell by just a handful of points, has downplayed the significance of his personal standings. Instead, he is focused on helping Red Bull secure third place in the constructors’ championship, a position the team holds on a tiebreaker against McLaren with both teams tied on 355 points and two wins apiece this season. “I don’t really care, because it’s only about first,” Verstappen stated ahead of the weekend. “The only thing that we want to try and achieve is to be P3 in the constructors’. That’s what I think the team wants, so that’s what we’ll try to do.”

Verstappen also acknowledged ongoing development needs for the RB22, emphasizing that despite improvements, the team is far from satisfied. “There are still a lot of things that we want to change, and I hope that it will bring the car a bit more together. That’s been the target already for a long time,” he said. “Of course, we have improved a lot this year, but I think we are nowhere near satisfied enough, so there will still be a decent amount of changes for next year.”

Aside from Red Bull’s comprehensive update, Audi’s Formula 1 team is introducing a new rear corner element featuring an updated rear brake duct deflector on its R26 car. This contrasts with the broader trend of teams focusing primarily on cooling solutions for the Mexican race, underscoring Red Bull’s commitment to pushing performance boundaries even late in the season.

As the championship battle intensifies, Red Bull’s Mexico GP upgrade represents a strategic effort to consolidate its position in the constructors’ fight and lay groundwork for further progress. How effectively these aerodynamic tweaks translate into lap time gains will be closely watched, with Verstappen’s performance expected to provide a clear benchmark for the RB22’s evolving pace.