The Red Bull Drone 1 seen in Silverstone, Great Britain on February 13, 2024. // Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202402270364 // Usage for editorial use only //
Revolutionizing F1 Viewing: High-Speed Drone Captures Verstappen’s Lap
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Red Bull and the Dutch Drone Gods UAV racing team have revolutionized the way we view Formula 1, capturing Max Verstappen’s full-speed lap around the Silverstone Circuit with an advanced FPV drone. This marks the first instance of such high-speed, high-definition aerial footage in Formula 1, showcasing the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20S car’s capabilities and the remarkable skills of 3-time World Champion Max Verstappen.
The RB20S, piloted by Verstappen, boasts significant aerodynamic enhancements over its predecessors, achieving speeds exceeding 225 mph. Verstappen, a prodigious talent in motorsports, has been pivotal to Red Bull’s dominance in recent Formula 1 seasons. The collaboration with the Dutch Drone Gods team and Red Bull’s Advanced Technologies group has produced a custom-built FPV drone, capable of astonishing accelerations—reaching speeds from 60 to 180 mph in less than 2 seconds. This was achieved through innovative design, including a custom chassis and the use of cutting-edge motors and stabilizers.
The drone, weighing just 985 grams, is designed to match the agility and speed of the RB20S, presenting unique challenges such as navigating the circuit’s obstacles and maintaining battery life due to its high-performance demands. The development of this drone benefited from Red Bull Advanced Technologies’ expertise, leading to a reduction in the drone’s total mass by about 10%.
The F1 drone footage:
Max Verstappen expressed his astonishment at the drone’s capabilities, noting its ability to keep up and closely follow the car, especially in corners, providing a new perspective on Formula 1 racing. “I never thought I’d see a drone going that quick just for camera footage,” Verstappen remarked, emphasizing the innovative approach to broadcasting the sport.
Shaggy FPV Ralph Hogenbrik of the Netherlands and Max Verstappen of the Netherlands seen in Silverstone, Great Britain on February 13, 2024. // Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202402270349 // Usage for editorial use only //
Shaggy FPV, the pilot behind the drone, faced the challenge of controlling the drone through FPV goggles while manually adjusting the camera angle. This required exceptional hand-to-eye coordination to ensure smooth footage of the car at speeds over 300 km/h. Shaggy described the project as the most challenging and unique shoot he has undertaken, highlighting the significant technical and navigational challenges involved.
David Coulthard, a former Formula 1 driver and broadcaster, praised the initiative for its potential to transform Formula 1 broadcasting. He suggested that such immersive footage could significantly enhance fans’ experience, providing a closer and more thrilling view of the racing action.
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in sports broadcasting, merging cutting-edge drone technology with the exhilarating speed of Formula 1 racing. It offers fans a new and immersive way to experience the sport, highlighting the technical prowess of both the Oracle Red Bull Racing team and the Dutch Drone Gods UAV racing team.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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