Helmut Marko has promised that Red Bull are working on an update to their car that should provide them with a "significant" boost on track. Ahead of the season getting underway, Marko admitted that the team had been struggling with the weight of their car. Under the 2022 regulations, the weight limit has been increased to 795kg excluding fuel, making the cars 43kg heavier than those from the previous year. Now, though, it sounds like Red Bull will soon have made progress with the issue, with Marko suggesting that the update could be in place as soon as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the fourth round on the calendar in April.
Marko sheds light on RB18 update
"The Ferrari is a car that is always fast, in all conditions [regardless of] temperature or tyres," Marko told Austrian media outlet Servus TV . "Our car is definitely more difficult to tune, but we will lose some weight in Imola." Marko is hopeful that this will give the Milton Keynes-based squad an edge in their battle with Ferrari, though acknowledges that the two teams are currently incredibly close. "That should give us a significant time advantage, time gain in other words," the Austrian said regarding the weight update to the RB18. "I think we are in a good position, but we have an almost equal opponent in Ferrari. [Charles] Leclerc is driving absolutely flawless this season, so it will be an exciting year."
Marko hesitant to make predictions for Australian Grand Prix
The next race on the calendar is the Australian Grand Prix, which takes place on the weekend of 8-10 April. This will mark F1's first visit to the venue since 2019, with the past two Grands Prix having been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Marko is reluctant to predict how Red Bull with fare at Albert Park, but is anticipating an exciting race all the same. "I think it will be more or less like here [in Saudi Arabia]," Marko added. "It's all about who can get the car set up in the best possible way. The track has suited us in the past, but it is difficult. It will probably be particularly exciting again."
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