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Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred.

Red Bull sidepod seam in Mexico prompts two possible technical explanations

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-10-31GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

During Friday practice in Mexico, the sidepod on the Red Bull driven by Ayumu Iwasa appeared to have been opened and resealed. Paolo Filisetti suggested two possible technical purposes.

GPBeat · Newsroom31 Oct 2026, 15:21 · 1 min

During Friday practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix, Ayumu Iwasa drove Max Verstappen’s Red Bull with a conspicuous seam running the full length of the sidepod. The upper section appeared shifted relative to the lower one, and adhesive-like material—possibly resin—seemed to seal the join. The sidepod looked as if it had been cut open and resealed.

RacingNews365 technical expert Paolo Filisetti suggested two possible purposes for the apparent modification: changing the sidepod’s overall angle or creating a little more internal volume around the radiators and intercoolers.

Later that Friday, Verstappen and Isack Hadjar were running one-piece sidepods.

Sources 01
  1. SOURCERed Bull baart opzien met knip- en plakwerk op auto VerstappenRacingNews365 Nederland

This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.