Being able to keep up with the fast and agile Formula 1 cars on the circuit has always been a feat reserved only for the best drivers in the world. Yet, a team of engineers decided to challenge this unwritten law of motoring with a decidedly unexpected approach: building a drone capable of chasing a racing car like a first-person camera in video games. The result? A drone. But what am I saying? A MISSILE, which could revolutionize the way millions of fans watch F1 races. And not only.
A splinter drone for very high speed shooting
The project comes to life from the collaboration between the well-known energy drink brand Red Bull and the Dutch group of FPV drone enthusiasts Dutch Drone Gods. The target? Create a drone fast and maneuverable enough to keep up with Max Verstappen's Formula 1 car on the Silverstone track. And take advantage of the close-up perspective for spectacular and immersive shots.
A task at the limits of the laws of physics, considering that Formula 1 cars can reach speeds of 400 km/h with sharp turns. Yet, after long months of testing and iterations (including components that melted or even exploded due to extreme heat) the team managed to churn out this flying splinter.
The secret weapon of the Formula 1 drone: record-breaking technology and materials
The key to success was high engineering work. The result? A drone with an entirely machined metal structure, ultra-fast internal components and an extremely light but incredibly robust and stress-resistant FRP composite external shell.
This mix of cutting-edge engineering solutions has allowed the drone to reach an astonishing maximum speed of 350 km/h. This is double the previous record of 150 km/h. A real feat that defied every law of physics and aerodynamics.
But what purpose will this technological gem be used in practice? Not just Formula 1
Thanks to the record-breaking performance of Red Bull's flying missile, television broadcasts of Formula 1 races could become much more exciting and immersive for viewers. Until now, classic shots have been taken from helicopters flying above the circuit, or with static drones taking panoramic shots and tracking shots. But really following a single-seater from a close distance, capturing all the supersonic speed, the sudden braking and the drivers' reflexes directly, has until now been unachievable.
With the new 350 km/h drone this finally becomes possible. The spectacular chase images will give fans the sensation of being behind the wheel themselves, offering an unprecedented point of view on the thrill of Formula 1. A paradigm shift compared to the classic aerial shots from afar.
But the potential implications of this technology don't stop there. A drone capable of reaching speeds like this could open the doors to new ways of filmmaking never seen before, with unprecedented possibilities for high-speed chases, extreme shots and much more.
At the same time, however, such a technology also presents risks and ethical challenges that should not be underestimated.
The dark sides of the "supersonic" drone
Although Red Bull's flying missile was created with peaceful intentions for entertainment, such a fast and handy device could be exploited for less than legitimate activities.
Once in the wrong hands, this drone could allow it to easily evade surveillance and security systems in restricted access areas such as military bases or airports.
Such a fast carrier could theoretically be used to deliver small dangerous or illicit cargoes anywhere virtually unchallenged.
It is therefore vital that the release of disruptive technologies such as this is accompanied by rigorous safety standards and regulations. Otherwise, a device designed to enhance entertainment could turn into a potential threat.
In an increasingly "fast" world, Red Bull's incredible Formula 1 drone is one of the many inventions that forces us to reflect on the negative implications of technological progress, balancing them with the wonderful opportunities it can offer us. A crucial ethical challenge for the future.
