Red Bull Racing Factory Visit
Discussion
I was privileged to have a tour of the Red Bull Racing Factory recently. I think there was a post on the same topic a while ago, but here are a few pictures and thoughts anyway. I only had a crappy little camera, so quality isn’t that great. BTW, none of the photos show any of the current cars or any of the juicy bits of the factory for obvious reasons...
The last F1 team (discounting Lola) I visited was the then new Jordan factory back in about 1992, and remembering what that was like, the first thing that struck me about Red Bull was the size of the place and number of employees - IIRC about 600 at the Milton Keynes factory. The car park was overflowing and we had to park on the road outside.
The next things that struck me - along with the ubiquitous "car on the wall" - were the trophy cabinets in the reception area; the receptionist was just cleaning the last bits of dried champagne from the Italian GP constructor’s trophy from last weekend, before placing it in a glass case with the dozens of others, including the FIA Constructors trophy from last year. The contents of those cases sum up nicely the amazing recent achievements of this team.
As expected everything is clinically clean and white. Walking around, everything seems very new, machine tools, measurement equipment, autoclaves etc, etc., as in any F1 team or half decent aerospace facility. We were shown around most of the manufacturing, testing, inspection and assembly areas, plus ‘mission control’ and the design office (dozens, if of hundreds of people all working towards one goal). Rocky was sitting there with the other race engineers, no doubt analysing their most recent success! All the aforementioned areas contained several fridges stocked with cans of Red Bull (which we were invited to help ourselves to). One place we were not allowed to go was the new simulator. It sounds amazing, but since we were told that many employees hadn’t seen it, I won’t comment any further.
It was nice to have a few of the older cars dotted around the place (both above, on the side and below!) for visitors to have a look at – both Red Bull and STR were represented.
I took the opportunity to take some detail pics because I am a keen modeller, and I thought they might come in useful one day.
Anyway, the best part for me was seeing the assembly bays, where Webber’s car was being stripped to the monocoque for inspection and repair. It was great to be able to take in all the great little design details. Opposite sat the demo car that Tom Cruise recently drove – they ran the engine up a few times (you can see in the pic that under some circumstances F1 cars do have cooling fans!). I never tire of hearing an F1 engine, never more so than now, with the impending turbo farce nearly upon us.
So to lunch – very nice restaurant, with everyone from lowly visitors like me, to Adrian Newey, who quietly sat down with everyone else. I would have loved to ask for an autograph, but thought better of it.
All too soon the day was over, and we made our way back through reception. I couldn’t help glancing at the Constructor’s trophy again, and thinking that all that I’d just seen was mainly in pursuit of that bit of silver. It was great for me as an engineer and lifelong F1 enthusiast to get a closer look at the best team in the business from the inside. I would recommend anyone to do the same if they ever get the chance. Thanks to everyone at Red Bull who showed us around for a fantastic day.
Spotted outside:
The last F1 team (discounting Lola) I visited was the then new Jordan factory back in about 1992, and remembering what that was like, the first thing that struck me about Red Bull was the size of the place and number of employees - IIRC about 600 at the Milton Keynes factory. The car park was overflowing and we had to park on the road outside.
The next things that struck me - along with the ubiquitous "car on the wall" - were the trophy cabinets in the reception area; the receptionist was just cleaning the last bits of dried champagne from the Italian GP constructor’s trophy from last weekend, before placing it in a glass case with the dozens of others, including the FIA Constructors trophy from last year. The contents of those cases sum up nicely the amazing recent achievements of this team.
As expected everything is clinically clean and white. Walking around, everything seems very new, machine tools, measurement equipment, autoclaves etc, etc., as in any F1 team or half decent aerospace facility. We were shown around most of the manufacturing, testing, inspection and assembly areas, plus ‘mission control’ and the design office (dozens, if of hundreds of people all working towards one goal). Rocky was sitting there with the other race engineers, no doubt analysing their most recent success! All the aforementioned areas contained several fridges stocked with cans of Red Bull (which we were invited to help ourselves to). One place we were not allowed to go was the new simulator. It sounds amazing, but since we were told that many employees hadn’t seen it, I won’t comment any further.
It was nice to have a few of the older cars dotted around the place (both above, on the side and below!) for visitors to have a look at – both Red Bull and STR were represented.
I took the opportunity to take some detail pics because I am a keen modeller, and I thought they might come in useful one day.
Anyway, the best part for me was seeing the assembly bays, where Webber’s car was being stripped to the monocoque for inspection and repair. It was great to be able to take in all the great little design details. Opposite sat the demo car that Tom Cruise recently drove – they ran the engine up a few times (you can see in the pic that under some circumstances F1 cars do have cooling fans!). I never tire of hearing an F1 engine, never more so than now, with the impending turbo farce nearly upon us.
So to lunch – very nice restaurant, with everyone from lowly visitors like me, to Adrian Newey, who quietly sat down with everyone else. I would have loved to ask for an autograph, but thought better of it.
All too soon the day was over, and we made our way back through reception. I couldn’t help glancing at the Constructor’s trophy again, and thinking that all that I’d just seen was mainly in pursuit of that bit of silver. It was great for me as an engineer and lifelong F1 enthusiast to get a closer look at the best team in the business from the inside. I would recommend anyone to do the same if they ever get the chance. Thanks to everyone at Red Bull who showed us around for a fantastic day.
Spotted outside:
Edited by dr_gn on Thursday 15th September 13:41
No problem guys - I wish I'd have taken more photos now. They were quite laid back about everything, but I always asked before taking pictures in the different areas of the factory. I was aware that I was lucky to get shown around in the first place, and didn't want to stress anyone out by constantly using my camera, but at least you get an impression of what it's like.
Podie said:
dr_gn said:
I was privileged to have a tour of the Red Bull Racing Factory recently.
Interesting. I was there earlier in the year, and they clearly stated that cameras were not allowed.dr_gn said:
Podie said:
dr_gn said:
I was privileged to have a tour of the Red Bull Racing Factory recently.
Interesting. I was there earlier in the year, and they clearly stated that cameras were not allowed.Edited by Podie on Thursday 15th September 13:41
Podie said:
dr_gn said:
Podie said:
dr_gn said:
I was privileged to have a tour of the Red Bull Racing Factory recently.
Interesting. I was there earlier in the year, and they clearly stated that cameras were not allowed.dr_gn said:
Podie said:
dr_gn said:
Podie said:
dr_gn said:
I was privileged to have a tour of the Red Bull Racing Factory recently.
Interesting. I was there earlier in the year, and they clearly stated that cameras were not allowed.Interesting place, isn't it? Huge for two cars...
Just get yourself to McLaren now...
Podie said:
dr_gn said:
Podie said:
dr_gn said:
Podie said:
dr_gn said:
I was privileged to have a tour of the Red Bull Racing Factory recently.
Interesting. I was there earlier in the year, and they clearly stated that cameras were not allowed.Interesting place, isn't it? Huge for two cars...
Just get yourself to McLaren now...
Yeah - trying to arrange a McLaren tour now...somehow!
Podie said:
dr_gn said:
I was privileged to have a tour of the Red Bull Racing Factory recently.
Interesting. I was there earlier in the year, and they clearly stated that cameras were not allowed.A family member works there and I have been round a few times and it varies regarding cameras.
Also depends on your background and if you or the company you work for are linked with any other teams...
Dan
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