The thrilling new episode of the Red Bull webseries “Road Trip” pits the cycling phenomenon, Wout Van Aert, and other sports stars against the world champion in breathtaking challenges
How many times have we been fooled by absentmindedly watching a video game thinking we are dealing with real images? With the evolution of technology, the boundary between virtual and reality has in fact become increasingly blurred: a discourse that is especially true of Formula 1, where the limitation of track tests has forced teams to reorganize themselves by developing increasingly sophisticated and futuristic tools. , able not only to allow the drivers to stay in training even away from the circuits, but to determine the results of the race weekends through the study of the set-up and optimal strategies. And it is precisely on the very thin line of demarcation between real and virtual that the plot of “From Sim to Reality” develops, the new Red Bull video of the “Road Trip” series, which returns to star Max Verstappen on the eve of the Belgian GP in Spa-Francorchamps.
FROM SIMULATOR TO REALITY
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After whizzing through the streets of Palermo igniting the Ballarò market and crossing the United States from New York to Miami, this time the plot of the new spectacular production of the Milton Keynes team sees the F1 world champion engaged in a normal driving session on the mythical track of the Ardennes. Evidently bored by the usual routine, the engineers at Max’s service will decide to add a bit of spice, loading decidedly less conventional software on the simulator: a great challenge for the talented Dutch driver, who will not deny his competitive nature by submitting without batting eyelash at all the bizarre tests designed for him in the control room.
THE CHALLENGES FOR MAX
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So, suddenly, between one passage and the other from the famous variant of Eau Rouge and Raidillon, Verstappen will find himself behind the wheel of a Red Bull RB7 – the single-seater world champion with Sebastian Vettel in 2011 – whizzing inside the sand mine of Malmedy (located near the Belgian circuit) slalom between the explosive charges placed for him by the spiteful engineers at the command wall. Or on the streets of Wallonia to challenge the cyclist Wout Van Aert, fresh winner of the green jersey at the Tour de France, in an unusual speed test at the tire change. Or, again, in races on dirt roads and even in Donuts on the asphalt against the rally specialists, Thierry Neuville (engaged with Hyundai in the WRC World Championship) and Guillaume De Mevius. All accompanied by a video montage that winks at the graphics of arcade games, leaving the viewer in the doubt of being in front of real or virtual images.
VERSTAPPEN SPEAKS
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“Spa-Francorchamps – explained Verstappen presenting the new work of the Red Bull social team that sees him as the protagonist – is one of my favorite tracks. I was born in Belgium, so it’s always special to come back here. Last Belgian GP I found the wettest track I have ever driven on. In the ‘From Sim to Reality’ video, I wanted to prepare myself properly and my engineers made it a real challenge. The approach to the game was really fun. Asphalt, off-road, day, night, chased by a helicopter … In the sand mine we equipped the RB7 with special wheels to get some grip, there was dust everywhere and we had to wait for it to settle between takes and the other one. Moments of the 4WD and helicopter chase were filmed in Lommel, not far from where I grew up. Going so fast in the middle of the night, surrounded by darkness with a helicopter looming behind me, was really special… ”.
23 August 2022 – 19:38
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