Red Bull: 'RB18 five kilograms too heavy, Ferrari already at the limit'

Helmut Marko has provided us with a new update on the weight of the RB18. Red Bull Racing's bolides are getting lighter bit by bit, but there is still progress to be made. Advantageously, however, the Austrian formation suspects that Ferrari has already reached the minimum weight.

An F1 car must be a minimum of 798 kg and all the racing teams want to achieve exactly that weight. Every kilogram a car is heavier means a slower lap time. According to Marko the Red Bull of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez is still about five kilograms too heavy as he explained to Motorsport.com.

The Red Bull Racing advisor thinks that Ferrari are already at the weight limit and that Mercedes is also in those regions. So Red Bull is not yet and that means there is still time to gain for the team from Milton Keynes: "The positive aspect is that we will gain a few tenths if we reach the target." In Baku, the target weight will not be reached yet, as "it is a process that takes time." When Red Bull expects to have completed its diet, Marko did not disclose.

Exciting weekend expected

In terms of characteristics, the street circuit of Baku is somewhat similar to Monaco. There Ferrari was victorious in the qualifying and one day later (until a strategic blunder) they seemed to be on their way to an easy victory. Red Bull can therefore wet its chest next weekend. In Azerbaijan, however, there are many long straights where the RB18 can make up time. It will be crucial to quickly find the right set-up and good tire management, Marko thinks.