ABU DHABI – After celebrating our fourth consecutive win of the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Formula One Championships on top of the Burj Al Arab, we provided a behind the scenes photographic account of how its 750 bhp Formula One car did donuts and burnouts 210 meters above the sea on a helipad 24 meters wide.
After a series of rigorous tests on the ground and then on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab to test its surface for weight tolerance, grip and movement, the Red Bull Seven Star Spin project started rapidly transforming from a vision to a reality.
A day prior to the stunt, while scouting what has become potentially the most famous helipad in the world, Tony Burrows, INFINITI Red Bull Racing Support Team Manager said: "Great view from up here. This is probably one of the scariest show runs we've done!"
Hours after the last site visit and under the cloak of darkness in the early hours of October 31, a wind speed reading below 12 knots was the last obstacle the team had to clear, prior to getting the go ahead for a safe lift.
The car was mounted on a purpose built frame and transported from Skydive Dubai using a helicopter at sunrise. Its route circled around the Palm Jumeirah and then approached the Burj Al Arab.
While the car made its way toward Burj Al Arab against a stunning backdrop of Dubai landmarks, the man who was soon to become the first to ever run a car on the helipad, David Coulthard said: "There was a lot of safety planning ahead of the event. We had to make sure that the structural integrity of the helipad was acceptable for doing donuts. We also knew that if the wind went above 12 knots we'd have to call it off. But, as you can see, conditions are perfect and I think we're going create quite a wake-up call for Dubai."
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in approximately 50 countries. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and Europe will start soon along with the expansion of the brand’s portfolio.
As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of INFINITI Red Bull Racing, INFINITI has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its four-time World Champion driver, serves as INFINITI’s Director of Performance.
More information about INFINITI, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infiniti.com. For the latest news on INFINITI, visit INFINITINews.com, "like" INFINITI on Facebook or follow the brand on Twitter @INFINITIUSA. For interesting content on INFINITI in Formula One visit: www.infiniti-gp.com, www.youtube.com/INFINITIGP or follow on Twitter @INFINITIGP.
About INFINITI in Formula One
INFINITI, the premium automotive brand, starts the 2013 season as Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of INFINITI Red Bull Racing. With a deepened technical collaboration across people, process and technologies, an ‘open door’ approach is enabling both sides to access a pool of innovation, new technologies and R&D resources in the shared pursuit of precision and performance.
Since the partnership’s inception in 2011 it has already seen the launch of the INFINITI FX Vettel Edition and product development input from Sebastian Vettel and test driver Sebastien Buemi for the all-new INFINITI Q50 premium sports saloon. INFINITI continues to be the most visible automotive brand in Formula One, and the deepened partnership will ensure closer alignment on an increasing number of future team collaborations.
For interesting content on INFINITI in Formula One visit: www.infiniti-gp.com, www.youtube.com/INFINITIGP or follow on Twitter @INFINITIGP.
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