Red Bull Introduces Performance Upgrades for Mexico City Grand Prix
Red Bull is the only front-running team introducing performance updates at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix. The changes include a revised sidepod design with a new floor-to-sidepod split line for local aerodynamic gains and a reworked engine cover with extended louvres for improved cooling at high altitude. These form the team's sole top-team performance package for the weekend.
Upgrade Package Details
Red Bull has registered a revised sidepod design and a reworked engine cover for the Mexico City Grand Prix. The sidepod change features an adapted split line with the floor to improve airflow below the radiator inlet. This aims to deliver local aerodynamic load while maintaining stability. The engine cover includes extended existing louvres plus additional openings further outboard to increase hot air exit and support radiator performance in thinner air.[1][2]
Context at High Altitude
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez sits more than 2,200 metres above sea level. Lower air density reduces mass flow through radiators and heat exchangers. Red Bull's cooling modifications address this directly. The sidepod update provides the performance element among these changes. Red Bull is the only front-running team bringing performance updates this weekend.[3]
Related reading
https://www.gpblog.com/en/breaking-news/these-are-the-upgrades-f1-teams-have-brought-to-the-mexican-grand-prix https://racingnews365.com/red-bull-unleash-latest-upgrade-as-f1-development-war-set-for-extreme-test https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1108740/1/what-red-bull-has-changed-its-latest-f1-upgrade-mexico-gp
- [1]F1 teams reveal upgrade plans for Mexican GP weekend (gpblog). Accessed 2026-10-30.
- [2]Red Bull unleash latest upgrade as F1 development war set for extreme test (racingnews365). Accessed 2026-10-30.
- [3]What Red Bull has changed with its latest F1 upgrade at Mexico GP (crash). Accessed 2026-10-30.