P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The true cost of Red Bull’s F1 weight issues has been revealed and Max Verstappen has lost a lot of lap time
The Red Bull F1 team is facing challenges with the heavy RB22, impacting Max Verstappen’s pursuit of dominant Mercedes in 2026, costing crucial seconds. Team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledges the need to take setup risks to close the gap, while engineers focus on long-term solutions at the factory. Sources suggest the excess weight is reducing performance by two-tenths of a second per lap, with the RB22 estimated to be over the minimum weight. With Verstappen in seventh place, a weight reduction is expected for the home race in Austria, as the team adapts to the new Red Bull Ford Powertrains.
During Canadian Grand Prix qualifying, Verstappen raised handling concerns, attributed partly to compensating for imbalances or competition gaps. Red Bull takes risks to address balance and competitiveness, experimenting with setups to enhance performance in qualifying and races. Closing the gap to Mercedes will lead to fewer risks, including rookie Isack Hadjar in the strategic refinement process. Managing kerbs and bumps is an ongoing challenge, with a constant pursuit of solutions that improve lap times without sacrificing speed, demonstrating a dedication to addressing complex issues for optimal performance.
