Red Bull ‘sources’ are secretive about true extent of RB22 problem costing them 0.2s per lap

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Red Bull have enjoyed an improved turn of form thanks to Max Verstappen since they introduced upgrades for the RB22, but their car still being overweight causes concern.

The Milton Keynes crew debuted their first major update package for the RB22 at the Miami Grand Prix at the start of May. It was hoped that the upgrades would afford Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar a more competitive car after Red Bull penned a frustrating start to the year.

Red Bull overhauled the RB22 with their updates in Miami, including introducing a new front wing, wheel ducts, sidepod inlets, mirror supports, floor and engine cover. Red Bull even ran additional front wing and brake assembly upgrades at the Canadian Grand Prix last time out.

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Red Bull are reluctant to admit how overweight the RB22 remains despite their upgrades

All of Red Bull’s upgrades over the past two rounds helped Verstappen to qualify P2 for the Miami GP for his best qualifying result so far this year and then earn his first podium of 2026 with P3 in the Canadian GP. Hadjar did not enjoy a clean race weekend in Miami or Canada.

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Central to Red Bull’s upgrade package was reducing the weight of the RB22, as their car was believed to have been around 10kg over the 768kg minimum weight limit. It was suggested in Miami that Red Bull’s upgrades halved their weight deficit, too, but it remains a concern.

According to The Race, ‘sources’ close to Red Bull believe the RB22’s weight problems mask the true performance of their car to the tune of around 0.2 seconds per lap. Yet those same sources are reluctant to share the full extent to which the RB22 is still overweight right now.

It is estimated that the Red Bull RB22 is around 6-7kg over the 768kg minimum weight limit, given the belief that it is costing Verstappen and Hadjar around 0.2s per lap. Red Bull also do not expect to further reduce the RB22’s weight until the Austrian Grand Prix on June 26-28.

Previous reports have even suggested that Red Bull might not hit the minimum weight limit before the summer break. F1 will take another break in 2026 after the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 24-26, which could yet leave Red Bull with an overweight car for another six rounds.

So, any weight that Red Bull can lose for their home race in Austria will be very welcome for Verstappen and Hadjar in three rounds’ time. F1 goes to Styria after the rounds in Monaco and Barcelona, prior to another of Red Bull’s home races at Silverstone and then to Belgium.