Redbull F1 runs into trouble

Fast cars running into trouble is never news, but when the car is as fast as a Formula 1 trying to achieve an incredible feat, it does become news, though rarely for wrong reasons. Back in April last year, Formula One veteran David Coulthard was seen in action when he took to the wheels of the F1 car at the picturesque Hussain Sagar Lake.

In 2011, the Infiniti Red Bull Racing had set a world record by driving on the highest motorable road in Khardung-la in Kashmir. The same year, Daniel Ricciardo drove the car down the iconic boulevard of Rajpath in Delhi. Coulthard, the 13-time Grand Prix winner, had also taken the car for a spin on Sea Link in Mumbai in 2009.

It was something similar Showrun. A Formula 1 car sliding around a ski slope, 1600 metres above sea level, was far from a common sight and just getting it there proved to be a huge task for Red Bull Racing. But it seems the team forgot one thing – to get approval for the actual event.

Austrian newspaper Tiroler Tageszeitung reports that administrative proceedings have been filed against Red Bull because official approval for the demo run was not granted.

Toro Rosso F1 driver Max Verstappen tackled the well-known Streif ski course in Kitzbühel at the wheel of a Red Bull RB7, which was fitted with snow chains and studded tyres to cope with the unusual conditions.

He completed several drive-bys and donuts in front of 3500 fans as part of a promotional event for this year’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Red Bull never go the simple route.

The RB7 was lifted by helicopter to ski slope on the Hahnenkamm mountain for the demonstration, which he described as “a bit scary”, but Kitzbühel director Michael Berger confirmed to the newspaper that Red Bull failed to get a permit to complete the run.

Approval must be given for driving any vehicle, from a normal car to a F1 machine, outside normal traffic or fenced areas. This is due to potential damage being caused to nature. Red Bull failed to gain approval and fines for such offences can go up to €30,000, although that is basically lunch money in the team’s budget.