Carlos Sainz has been very critical of the driver weight rule and he hopes to be able to increase that weight in the future, as it is unfair to many of the F1 drivers, who They have to adapt to a few kilos that are too low for their height.
This season, the FIA approved a change in the regulations regarding the minimum weight of single-seater cars in the Grand Prix. The weight will be increased from 798kg to 800kg. This 2kg increase will only apply to the weight of the pilots. Currently the weight of the pilots and all their equipment (helmet, device, HANS) has to reach 80kg and if not it is compensated with ballast. In 2025, this weight could be 82kg.
This means that F1 single-seaters will break a new weight record, in a category that in theory is looking to make everything lighter to make it easier to overtake in view of 2026. Carlos Sainz has explained his opinion on this small increase in the minimum weight And although he is in favor of it being greater, he believes that the solution is not the best.
“Obviously, two kilos is not a big change. The problem is when you start adding two kilos to two otherstwo more, two more… I think that’s the trend in Formula 1 over the last 10 years: keep adding two kilos here, three there, five there, and then the cars have reached a weight of 800 kilos. In the past, they weighed around 600,” said the Spaniard, who as most people want much lighter cars.
Carlos He has never had many problems with his minimum weight, but he has warned that he has had to control not only his diet, but also his entire muscle mass. that he gained with his training: “I had to be careful with the amount of muscle I gained and the food I ate. But I was always at the limit of that weight,” he commented.
I had to be careful about how much muscle I gained and what food I ate.
Carlos Sainz
The ’55’ is not one of the tallest drivers on the grid and He wanted to think about them and the difficulties they must encounter to be within the minimum weight set by the FIA: “But I can imagine being a Nico, an Esteban or a Russell. I wouldn’t be very happy if I was 180 centimetres or taller. That’s why I understand that it was probably made for the heavier or taller riders, because they have always had a bit more difficulties than the average-sized riders like me,” he stressed.
Daniel Ricciardo agrees with Sainz
Daniel Ricciardo also wanted to think about some of his teammates who are several centimetres taller than 1.80m.They can’t help being tall. So it’s unfair that they have to get a little dehydrated to reach their weight.so to speak,” he said, showing that they have to make some more sacrifices than the rest.
They can’t help being tall. It’s unfair that they have to get a little dehydrated.
Daniel Ricciardo
“But even for us, even having reached that weight, it’s nice to have the freedom to be the athletes we need to be and not think ‘oh, we have to be careful, we can’t do too much strength training’,” he added, reaffirming a bit everything Sainz has said. He concluded by showing his support for the FIA if this weight rule serves the safety of the drivers.
