With Formula One’s technology as cutting edge as ever, many people have complained that engineers are taking the wheel from the hands of the drivers and allowing technology to take over. Some have even went as far to say that virtually anyone could drive a modern Formula One car. But could someone who isn’t a racing driver really keep pace with the masters of Formula One? Red Bull investigates by placing famous faces in their Formula One simulator.
Famous members around the Formula One paddock will take the wheel of the Red Bull Formula One simulator for The Red Bull Racing Sim Challenge series. Former Red Bull driver, David Coulthard, started the challenge by setting a benchmark lap time of 1:17.960 at Red Bull’s virtual recreation of the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Participants in the challenge will attempt to beat Coulthard’s lap time. However, beating the lap time will not be easy, given that Coulthard has competed in 247 Grand Prix over the course of his 14 year Formula One career.
Adrian Newey began the challenge, climbing into the simulator for his chance to attempt to beat the benchmark lap time. Newey currently serves as the Chief Technical Director of Red Bull Racing, the team for which he has worked since 2006. Apart from helping to design all of Red Bull’s championship winning cars, he also designed winning cars for Williams and McLaren, to become a widely regarded face within the paddock.
But will all of his engineering knowledge help beat the benchmark lap time in the first Red Bull Racing Sim Challenge?
