Red Bull and Audi will have to modify the design of the lower portion of the sidepods for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) formalized a change to the technical regulations that prohibits the aerodynamic solution used by the two teams, forcing both to seek alternatives for the upcoming cars.
The change has already been approved by the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) and appears in the third edition of the 2027 technical regulations. The measure targets a concept created by Red Bull in 2026 and which was also adopted by Audi, which unveiled its own version at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The idea was to use a slender rod at the bottom of the sidepods to bypass the car’s curvature requirements. With this, designers could craft a sharper carbon fiber edge, favoring the direction of the airflow toward key areas of the floor at the rear of the car.
With the new rule, the FIA restricted the points at which these rods can traverse the bodywork surfaces. Now, they may only appear in regions near mounting points and in specific areas of the engine cover. The regulation also makes clear that structural supports cannot be used as a loophole to create more aggressive aerodynamic edges.
However, the prohibition does not alter the 2026 situation. The solution remains within the rules for this season, which means Max Verstappen can run the RB22 without changes at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. The Dutch driver arrives at the event aiming for a third consecutive victory.
