The Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula One Team took on pit-stop practice with a difference at their Milton Keynes HQ this week. The 2023 FIA Formula One world champion’s mechanics came together to do the first pitch-black pit stop where they had to rely on their other senses such as touch to get the job done.
The team who holds the record for the fastest ever pit-stop recorded in Formula One from the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2019 had ten attempts at the pitch-black stop with a car powered by an electric motor getting a fastest time of 2.84s just a second off the fastest time.
Oracle Red Bull Racing Sporting Director, Jonathan Wheatley said:
“The Pitch Black Pit Stop was a challenge we could literally never see coming our way as a Race Team, but in typical Red Bull fashion, we have come to expect the unexpected! The sense of sight, being able to see the car, your teammates and what you are doing are intrinsic to a successful pit stop, so having that taken away presented some serious hurdles. However, what soon became clear is how fluid the Team are in their approach, communication, ability and cohesive spirt; that the task at hand was almost second nature. I was really proud of their performance. The time of 2.84 seconds is a strong stop even in broad daylight! I’m certainly not saying that I would like to turn the lights out in a race, but being able to pull this off so succinctly, in the pitch black, shows what a well-oiled machine the crew is and testament to the fact we have won six consecutive DHL’s Fastest Pit Stop Awards. Beautiful work.”
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- Magenta Stills / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202312141257 // Usage for editorial use only //
(Video courtesy of Oracle Red Bull Racing via Youtube)