Red Bull’s latest RB22 innovation raises eyebrows in the Formula 1 paddock
The Miami Grand Prix proved to be fertile ground for technical upgrades, and Montreal is expected to be no different. Every team except Aston Martin has arrived with something new, delivering varying levels of performance gains.
As always in Formula 1, the moment engineers remove the covers from new components, rival teams are already analysing every detail — either to take inspiration or to identify areas that may deserve closer regulatory scrutiny.
In particular, Red Bull has drawn significant attention from rival engineers thanks to its revised sidepod design, which many believe sits right on the edge of the regulations.
The RB22 sidepod design under scrutiny
This updated component features a revised air intake and sits noticeably higher than equivalent solutions used by rival teams. Along the flanks of the RB22, the bodywork creates something close to aerodynamic “slides,” with a much steeper profile than what can be seen on the McLaren, the only other top team currently using a somewhat comparable concept.
The real difference, however, lies in the junction between the sidepod and the floor, which has been moved further forward and shaped with much slimmer lines. Andrea Stella had already commented on the concept when speaking to the media: “They were clever to introduce that innovation while staying within the regulations. Over the course of the season, the designs will likely begin to converge, but we will be watching theirs carefully to see whether there are performance advantages.”
The regulatory grey area
What Andrea Stella was referring to is the fact that the FIA has strict regulations governing the shape of sidepods and the engine cover, but does not explicitly define the connection point between those two areas in great detail.
The technical regulations simply state that the combined structure “must be a single volume, connected in a simple way, without overlapping zones.”
According to reporting from The Race, Red Bull may have found another clever opportunity within that wording. These limitations primarily apply to aerodynamic surfaces directly exposed to external airflow and vortex interaction. However, the RB22’s design appears to position the controversial section in a way that avoids direct aerodynamic exposure, potentially placing it outside the strictest interpretation of those controls.
For now, the concept appears to be fully legal. But as often happens in Formula 1, when one team discovers a creative interpretation of the rules, further scrutiny, technical clarifications, and political battles are rarely far behind.
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