Red Bull's Weight Problem: A Quick Fix for the RB22's Woes?

Red Bull's RB22 may finally have a clear path to progress: losing weight. Sources indicate the car is around 6-7kg over the 768kg minimum, costing an estimated two-tenths of a second per lap—a bigger handicap than the team's complex balance issues.

Why it matters:

Weight is the low-hanging fruit. If Red Bull can hit the limit, it gains the ability to reposition ballast for better center of gravity and tire management. That would deliver both raw pace and consistency, reducing the need for aggressive, high-risk set-ups that have backfired in races like Canada.

The details:

• Current status: Red Bull started the year heavier but made a significant weight reduction in Miami. Another big step is expected for the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June.
• Performance impact: The extra mass not only slows the car directly but also forces the team to take set-up risks to compensate. Laurent Mekies noted that when they lack pace, they explore extreme directions—sometimes causing handling complaints from Max Verstappen.
• Kerb and bumps: A long-standing weakness, these issues flared up in Canada and will likely return in Monaco. Mekies says fixing them without losing lap time is “complex” but confidence is high, as they’ve already solved fundamental problems earlier this season.
• No risk, no reward: Once the car is lighter and closer to Mercedes, the need for risky set-ups diminishes, leading to a more predictable platform.

What's next:

The weight reduction push is the immediate priority. If Red Bull reaches or dips under the limit by Austria, it could transform the RB22's performance. Mekies remains optimistic: “There is nothing yet that we are saying cannot be fixed in '26.” The fastest route to the front starts with shedding a few kilos.