General
RB18 still too heavy: "You don't solve it with one upgrade".
- GPblog.com
The RB18 of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez has actually been too heavy all year and the Austrians have not yet managed to get rid of the excess kilos. It's a big disadvantage compared to the Ferrari, as it costs several tenths per lap. Verstappen describes it as a very complex problem.
Red Bull have struggled with their weight since the start of the season. The Milton Keynes-based team made progress in the early months of 2022, reducing its excess weight to 'just' five kilograms at one point. However, updates introduced in recent weeks have allegedly made the RB18 heavier again.
RB18 too heavy
Verstappen says in conversation with Formule1.nl it's not something that can be solved one-two-three. Red Bull is losing some time especially in the high-speed corners."We have to work around that now, that has less of an impact on one track than another. You always have to look for a way to rotate the car."
It sounds so simple, making a car a little lighter, but it is anything but that. "The weight by definition costs lap time, that remains a burden and you don't solve it with one upgrade," Verstappen continues. Red Bull will be pulling out all the stops to keep developing the RB18 in the coming months. At some point, however, the focus will have to shift to 2023. The budget cap also means that the development possibilities are not endless.
Ferrari has brought a new floor to France. Whether Red Bull has travelled to Paul Ricard with major updates, we will find out tomorrow.