Red Bull Max Verstappen weight problem not as great as feared

Heading into the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, there was considerable speculation regarding the excess weight of the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar.

In China, an eagle-eyed fan supposedly took an image of Hadjar's car on the FIA weigh bridge at the end of qualifying at the Shanghai International Circuit. If the image is to be believed, the weight shown was 716.5kg.

With Hadjar understood to weigh around 65kg, and Verstappen 72kg, in the case of the four-time F1 champion, this would place the RB22 just over 20 kilograms heavier than the permitted car-and-driver weight limit of 768kg for this season.

The truth, however, is not as excessive as the picture purportedly painted in China.

RacingNews365 understands that, yes, Red Bull is struggling with the overall weight of its car. However, by nine to 10 kilograms, not 20, and even then, certain parameters have to be taken into consideration, such as setup changes. Even the number of sensors on a car has an influence.

Ten kilograms is naturally, however, not what Red Bull wants, particularly given that a team and driver pay a price for extra weight in lap time. In this instance, 10kg equates to around two-tenths of a second and has an effect on the balance of a car.

At the start of the season, with an overweight car, Red Bull was at least in the mix at the front of the field. Over the course of the past few weeks, however, whilst rivals have made gains in such an area, Red Bull has slipped to the midfield.

RacingNews365 further understands that Red Bull is preparing an update package for the Miami GP, with the new parts expected to reduce weight, resulting in better lap times and improved balance.

Initially, the package was to be introduced in Bahrain, but due to the cancellation of that race, Verstappen and Hadjar will have to be a little more patient before hopefully driving a much lighter car.