Is Alfa Romeo the only team at the 795kg limit?

The new tires for the 2022 racecars and the crash-resistant monocoques have led to a 5% increase in the total weight of the car, which equates to a 38kg increase compared to last year. And with all the new regulations, teams seem to be facing an additional puzzle, unable to comply with this limit.

This Monday, Red Bull’s special counselor, Helmut Marko, spoke about the RB18: « The only problem we have is the weight. But all teams have this problem. Thank God, the minimum weight has already been increased, but there is still a lot of work to be done before the first race. There is another meeting coming up. We will see if there is another increase coming. All teams, except one, are struggling with the weight issue. » The Austrian team would not be able to reduce the weight of their car, Marko explained that it was difficult to respect the 795-kilogram limit.

Last week, Lando Norris complained about a car that was too heavy. The weight makes a huge difference in the handling […]. The car is much heavier than last year, explained the McLaren MCL36 driver. And German driver Mick Schumacher shared the same opinion.

If McLaren and Williams tend to get closer to the allowed weight, there would only be one team about to achieve it: Alfa Romeo. All the other teams in the paddock would still be far from it, which is why some are demanding an increase in this weight. However, unanimity is needed for any changes in the rules. And the teams close to the weight limit would not have any interest in requesting such a revision.

Let’s remind ourselves that a heavier car is certainly more difficult to handle for the drivers, but it is also slower. Many have observed this on the Catalan track, where 10 kilograms would make them lose three tenths of a lap. The regulations could be modified before the start of the 2022 season, but Formula 1 seems determined to stay below the 800-kilogram mark.