FIA to Close Red Bull’s Sidepod Loophole Ahead of 2027

Formula 1 engineers are relentless in their pursuit of exploiting rulebook ambiguities to gain a competitive edge. However, Red Bull’s recent aerodynamic innovation has been swiftly addressed by the FIA, ending its advantage.

According to a report by Rosario Giuliana of AutoRacer.it, the FIA has moved to close a loophole created by a sidepod design introduced by Red Bull Racing earlier this season, forcing the team to redesign its car for the 2027 campaign.

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The FIA’s technical regulations require a minimum radius for sidepod surfaces to ensure smooth airflow, discouraging razor‑sharp edges. However, a minor provision in the rules regarding a “floor body stay” allowed a small radius of 20 mm for bodywork adjacent to that support. Red Bull’s designers took advantage of this allowance by installing a structural cable along the lower sidepod ridge, which permitted a much sharper undercut than the standard bodywork.

The design first appeared on the RB22 at the Austrian Grand Prix, where it performed well enough that Audi adopted a similar solution at the Baku round, prompting comments about clever rule‑bending.

The 2027 Ban

The FIA’s technical delegates have decided to tighten the regulations for the 2027 season. According to AutoRacer.it, the floor‑support dimension tolerance will be reduced from 20 mm to just 5 mm, effectively eliminating the design loophole and requiring both Red Bull and Audi to overhaul their sidepod geometry.

MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 04: Ayumu Iwasa of Japan driving the (36) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB22 Red Bull Ford Powertrains on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Sam Bagnall/Sutton Images)

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

The revised limits will outlaw the current configuration, compelling Red Bull and Audi to redesign the lower section of their sidepods for 2027.

In typical Formula 1 fashion, a team discovers a regulatory gap, rivals emulate it, and the FIA closes the gap in the subsequent technical update. Red Bull’s aerodynamics department will have until pre‑season testing to develop the next innovative solution.

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