Marko hopes: 'Then we can get package on par with Ferrari'

Red Bull Racing 's RB18 is about ten kilograms heavier than Ferrari 's F1-75 and that means the Austrian formation of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez is about three tenths slower per lap alone due to more weight. Along with improving reliability, this point is currently the biggest priority for the team from Milton Keynes.

Verstappen's engine has been sent to Japan where Honda technicians will subject it to an extensive examination. It is possible that something broke down in the engine itself and that it was not only the fuel system that faltered and caused Verstappen's retirement at the Australian Grand Prix last weekend. Motorsport.com already reported on Monday that possibly the MGU-K was affected.

Red Bull dilemma

To lose weight, updates will have to be made. These are planned for Imola, but it is not the case that Red Bull can continue to develop indefinitely. Just like last season, all teams in Formula 1 have to deal with a budget ceiling that is so low that simply not all parts of a car are eligible for improvements. The teams will have to carefully consider what to focus on in the further development.

One area that is high on Red Bull's wish list is weight. This is also very costly, Marko points out in conversation with ServusTV. "Reducing weight is expensive. First of all it is a financial problem and secondly it has to do with reliability. Because of the budget cap, it's a difficult trade-off."

Weight and reliability RB18

At Imola, Red Bull should come up with an update for the RB18. It would be an update similar in step to the one from the second to third test day in Bahrain. "If it works like our first update, we can get on par with Ferrari with the package," he said. Reliability is even more important, however, according to Marko: "If you don't cross the finish line, you have nothing to gain from a fast car."