Red Bull is taking a big swing to fix their rocky start to the 2026 F1 season. They are about to bring a heavily changed car for the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, and Max Verstappen was out testing the refined RB22 during a private day at Silverstone after the five-week break.

The biggest changes are right at the front. Red Bull added some new bits to the front wing endplates that weren't there before, even though their rivals were already using similar designs. These parts are there to improve airflow and prevent choppy air from messing with the rest of the car.

Further down the RB22, the sidepods have a revised design. Per RN365, they used to be smooth and straight, but the new bodywork has a sharp kink right in the middle. It looks like the team has a whole new plan for moving air toward the back of the car to keep things cool and the car glued to the track.

The rear of the car also saw some experimentation. Leaked images from the test show a revised rear wing with different pivot points for the moving parts. This could be a direct attempt to improve the car's straight-line speed when active aero is employed.

Moreover, RN365 also reported that Max Verstappen's car had a version of the ingenious rotating 'Macarena' rear wing, which Ferrari first surprised the grid with in preseason testing.

With these significant modifications, Red Bull is hoping to turn their fortunes around in Florida. Verstappen’s run at Silverstone served as a critical verification session before the team commits to this new technical direction for the rest of 2026.

However, Red Bull isn't the only team bringing a comprehensive upgrade package for Miami.

Ferrari and McLaren planning major upgrades for Miami

Red Bull and Max Verstappen aren't the only ones needing a push in the pecking order. Ferrari, which has been the second-quickest team this season, isn't sitting around. To take Mercedes' crown, they just showed up at Monza this week with a big list of upgrades for the SF-26.

They used a quick filming day to test out a bunch of new parts, including the 'Macarena' rear wing, with Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel of his SF26. The changes also involve a tweaked front wing and a floor.

McLaren is another team bringing a massive upgrade to its MCL40. Team principal Andrea Stella revealed the team will bring a "completely new car" to Miami, regarding the aero.

The defending constructors' champions have been lagging behind Mercedes and Ferrari. However, they have reportedly unlocked the key to better exploit the Mercedes power units they use heading into the Miami GP Sprint weekend.

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Written by

Sanskriti Pastor

Edited by

Yask Kotak