Raikkonen Wasn’t the Only Driver Minus a Drinks Bottle

During the Hungarian GP, it had transpired that Kimi Raikkonen was racing without a drinks bottle. As it turned out, the Ferrari team had forgotten to connect it. So Kimi had to suffer for the entire race. However, it seems that he isn’t the only driver to race thirsty.

Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson revealed that he has been racing without a drinks system in his car for over two years. The reason behind this move was to save weight in the car.

When Raikkonen was informed about the loss, it led to an amusing exchange between driver and team. After an entire conversation, Raikkonen was forced to accept the fact that his team had forgotten to connect it. Such a situation is certainly not ideal in any race. It is all the more difficult at a circuit like the Hungaroring where heat is an issue.

Raikkonen ended up in third place and to his credit, didn’t seem too dehydrated after the race. While it may sound superhuman, Ericsson one-upped him. The Swede revealed that he has been racing without a drinks bottle for over two years.

He also revealed that he had shed between 2.5-3kg in body weight in the entirety of the race. This is even more detrimental for him as he is one of the taller drivers on the grid. Last season his car was around 10kg heavier than teammate Pascal Wehrlein’s car. Even one kg of extra weight can be the difference between a few tenths of a second per lap.

Although things are looking up this season, it is still critical if he has to race without a drinks bottle.

Now, the FIA has listened to his plea for driver weights to be equalised. From 2019, the car will be weighed separately from the driver. The combination of the driver and seat must weigh a minimum of 80kg. This will likely minimise the disadvantage that taller, heavier drivers have traditionally had.