The RB18 is 10 kilograms overweight according to Helmut Marko
Like most teams, Red Bull is struggling to lower the weight of their RB18, which is 10 kilograms too heavy according to Helmut Marko. The Austrian team will bring new parts to Imola to start addressing this issue, although Marko predicts that it will be a "long-term effort" before reaching the minimum allowed weight and gaining performance.
The beginning of Red Bull’s season is mixed. The Austrian team has successfully adapted to the 2022 regulations and already has one victory, one pole position, and a second place finish in three races. Despite reliability issues, the RB18 is currently the second fastest car on the grid, behind Ferrari’s F1-75. In order to catch up with the blistering pace of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s cars, Red Bull must start by reducing the weight of their car, which is currently 10 kilograms above the minimum allowed weight.
According to Helmut Marko, special advisor to the Austrian team, the planned improvements for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix this weekend should allow the RB18s to fight against Ferrari.
« It is clear that Ferrari has such a complex package, yet so easy to adjust, that everything must be in place for us to be able to resist. That’s why we take the risk of bringing new parts even with just one testing session. We want to attack full force and see this as our chance instead of just waiting. Ferrari and Leclerc are too strong for that », explained Marko.
If there is good hope that the improvements made in Imola will help reduce the weight of the RB18, Helmut Marko calls for patience and indicates that the diet will take time. It’s like with humans. It doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a long process because we are overweight, certainly more than Ferrari. If we manage to get closer to Ferrari’s level by Barcelona, we will already be satisfied, warns the Austrian.
The Austrian team is not the only one struggling with the weight of their car, as only Alfa Romeo managed to meet the minimum allowed weight of 798 kg. However, Helmut Marko believes in his team’s chances and recalls Sebastian Vettel’s “remontada” in 2012 to secure his third championship title.
« Back then, with Vettel, we were 44 points behind Ferrari and Alonso at the summer break, and yet we managed to turn the situation around.
» With already 46 points behind Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen will have to rely on a performing and lightweight RB18 if he wants to go after his second world championship title.
