The Formula 1 challengers have become bulkier in recent seasons, with a lot of additional weight coming from the hybrid systems and safety devices.
Many teams would start 2022 with cars that were overweight following the introducing of new regulations, with a minimum weight of 798kg set for the cars without fuel onboard.
Prior to the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last round before the summer break, Verstappen was asked to take stock of the fresh regulations and what they have delivered so far, with an intended goal of allowing the cars to follow more closely.
Verstappen laughing all the way to a 2nd title
Max Verstappen has driven superbly, but has also had a helping hand from Ferrari along the way.
He does believe that this aim has been achieved, but the weight of the cars bothers him. Not that he expects this situation to change anytime soon, however.
“I think following has been quite a bit better, so that’s positive,” he told reporters. “But of course, the weight of the cars, they’re extremely heavy, which I think it’s not great, which I don’t really see a quick solution for.
“But overall, the following and stuff has been a bit better. And I mean, it’s difficult to expect really, how much better it would be but for me at least you have a better chance of racing, but then again, on some tracks it is still very hard to follow. But that’s also in combination with tyres overheating and stuff. So, there are a few things to look at.”
The subject of car weight was also addressed by Lance Stroll, who, if he could change one rule, would look to make the challengers lighter.
“I think one of the main things is lighter cars,” said the Aston Martin driver. “I think the weight of the cars has just become too heavy and I would like to see that be improved going forward in the coming years.
“There are many things for sure that we can change and do better, but off the top of my head, that’s something that I think would be nice to improve to make the cars a little bit more enjoyable and nimble to drive.”
Even if the car is a bit too heavy for Verstappen’s liking, the Dutchman has been extracting plenty of performance from the Red Bull RB18 to lead the Drivers’ Championship with an 80-point cushion over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
