Formula 1 is considering using FPV drones to film races in China and Austin

In 2022, Formula 1 had set up a testing phase to film Formula 1 live with FPV (First Person View) drones. The footage created by this drone did not appeal for several reasons. However, F1 may consider trying the experience again, but this time with a more powerful drone capable of filming the F1 cars from above rather than from the side.

In 2022, during several Grand Prix races, a drone was used in an attempt to immerse viewers even more into the speed sensations produced by a Formula 1 car. However, these drones were limited to a designated area without any spectators below to avoid any issues in case of a drone crash, and more importantly, they were not fast enough to keep up with the Formula 1 cars in most turns, resulting in wider shots that were not very immersive.

Red Bull recently made a video featuring the RB19 driven by Liam Lawson and the RB20 driven by Max Verstappen in an attempt to chase an F1 car from one end of the circuit to the other. The mission was successfully completed as the drone, which this time can reach speeds of up to 350 km/h, was able to film the F1 car from behind along the entire distance and in close-up shots.

The F1 is considering using this drone on the track

Since Liberty Media took over the F1 from Bernie Ecclestone, new cameras have made their appearance, notably featuring shots from inside the cockpit and inside the helmet. If the first testing session did not attract viewers, this drone could therefore change things.

Dean Locke, the director of media and television, explained that it is under discussion with the FIA but that it seems complicated to use for security reasons with the presence of the public.

« What they did with it is really interesting but it was a private session and they don’t have to comply with the 0% of the regulatory conditions we have. We will discuss it with them to see if it’s possible and how we would use it. » he explained to Autosport.

It’s really quick, but you can’t fly over a crowd like that, and you typically can’t cross the track. Plus, you can’t be in front of the F1, so you’ll either have to follow it or be on the side. So, really specific conditions.

Although discussions are underway to use the drone co-developed by the Dutch company Dutch Drone Gods and Red Bull’s design office, Red Bull Advanced Technologies, it is therefore unlikely that we will see it happening so quickly in a race confirmed Dean Locke: « Drones have done some amazing things in sports, but for ours, it’s still a very big challenge. Formula 1 cars are really fast and we have some weekends where over 400,000 people come. So avoiding all these people is complicated. We are working on it and we met with the FIA in Bahrain to discuss it along with other topics. »

The size of the drone is a particularly important issue for safety, as the heavier the drone is, the more damage can be caused in the event of a crash on a Formula 1 car or in the public.

Can we improve their weight? Or make them truly miniaturized? That way, if they fall, it will cause very little damage compared to those companies contacting us with very large drones, he wonders.

The Chinese Grand Prix for a first time?

The media and TV director, however, explain that on certain circuits, the drone used by Red Bull could do the job: “The long straight line in China, or in Austin are places where we could imagine shots with this drone and we will discuss it.”