Red Bull Drivers Prepare for Secret F1 and Supercars Swap

Red Bull is orchestrating a unique, behind-the-scenes car swap at The Bend Motorsport Park, where its F1 drivers Scott Speed and Brendon Hartley are set to experience Supercars, while Supercars stars Broc Feeney and Will Brown will get a taste of F1 machinery. This high-profile event, leveraging Red Bull's extensive motorsport presence, aims to generate exclusive content and strengthen ties between its global racing divisions.

Why it matters:

This secretive car swap highlights Red Bull's strategic approach to content creation and cross-promotional activities within its vast motorsport empire. By having F1 and Supercars drivers exchange cars, Red Bull not only generates significant buzz and unique footage but also underscores its commitment to nurturing talent and creating engaging experiences across different racing disciplines.

The Details:

• F1 Presence in Adelaide: Red Bull brought two 2011-specification RB7 F1 cars, adorned in Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls liveries, to the Adelaide Grand Final. These cars performed demonstration runs with David Coulthard, Scott Speed, and later Brendon Hartley at the wheel.
• The Secret Swap Venue: Following the Adelaide demonstrations, the two RB7s and at least one Red Bull Ampol Racing Camaro are reportedly heading to The Bend Motorsport Park for a private filming session today. The circuit will be under strict lockdown, with no public access.
• Driver Line-up: Scott Speed and Brendon Hartley are slated to drive the Supercars, while Supercars champions Broc Feeney and Will Brown will get the opportunity to pilot the F1 machines.
• Driver Excitement: Scott Speed expressed his anticipation, stating, "I'm so friggin' excited! I've been practicing my right-foot braking and everything. I haven't done that in a race car since I was 19!" after a passenger lap with Brown.
• Previous Car Swaps: This isn't the first time Triple Eight (Red Bull Ampol Racing's parent team) drivers have experienced F1 cars. Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes previously drove McLarens in swaps with Jenson Button during Triple Eight's Vodafone sponsorship era. Whincup drove at Albert Park in 2010, and Lowndes at Mount Panorama the following year.
• Content Creation: Both Feeney and Brown were seen sitting in the RB7s in Adelaide, indicating Red Bull's extensive plans for filming crossover content between its F1 and Supercars outfits.

What's next:

While Red Bull has not officially confirmed the details of the car swap beyond the international drivers trying Supercars, the expected event at The Bend will provide an exclusive spectacle. The footage and content generated from this unique crossover will likely be a major highlight for motorsport fans, showcasing the versatility of Red Bull's drivers and the sheer excitement of both F1 and Supercars machinery.