F1 automobiles have gotten step by step heavier over the previous few guidelines cycles, with the 2022 rules inflicting a 46kg enhance, largely as a result of new security enhancements resembling strengthened influence buildings.
The brand new technology of automobiles has a minimal weight set at 798kg with out gasoline. Add a full gasoline load of 110kg and which means automobiles weigh over 900kg as they line up for the beginning of a grand prix.
It is a far cry from the pre-hybrid period, when automobiles weighed between 595kg in 2008 and 642kg in 2013 with out gasoline.
That burgeoning weight has turn out to be more and more unpopular among the many drivers, who lament the brand new automobiles’ sluggish behaviour that belies their monstrous efficiency.
When requested by Motorsport.com in regards to the influence of the brand new rules, Verstappen mentioned felt the automobiles at the moment are “extraordinarily heavy” however added he did not suppose there was a speedy answer as many of the weight acquire has been the results of extra security measures.
“I feel following has been fairly a bit higher, in order that’s constructive,” Verstappen mentioned. “However after all, the burden of the automobiles, they’re extraordinarily heavy, which I feel isn’t nice, which I do not actually see a fast answer for.
“However general, the next and stuff has been a bit higher. It is troublesome to anticipate how a lot better it might be however for me not less than you’ve gotten a greater likelihood of racing.
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing RB18
Photograph by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
“However then once more, on some tracks it is nonetheless very laborious to comply with however that is additionally together with tyres overheating and stuff, so there are some things to have a look at.”
Verstappen’s ideas had been echoed by a few of his colleagues, with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll hoping a weight discount may make the automobiles extra agile in future regulation cycles.
“I feel the burden of the automobiles has simply turn out to be too heavy and I wish to see that be improved going ahead within the coming years,” the Canadian mentioned.
“There are lots of issues for certain that we are able to change and do higher however off the highest of my head that is one thing that I feel could be good to enhance; to make the automobiles slightly bit extra pleasurable and nimble to drive.”
Mercedes’ George Russell agreed with Verstappen and Stroll however admitted the security options behind the extra weight will make it troublesome to provide you with a big discount.
“As Lance and Max mentioned, lighter automobiles could be nice, however you may’t have every thing on the planet,” Russell added when requested which areas of the brand new automobiles may nonetheless be improved.
“The explanation we’re heavier is due to security, so yeah, I do not know. I actually cannot decide one, as a result of there’s too many compromises.”