24 replies to this topic

[revmeister]

I read that Adrian Newey is an amateur race car driver, and it made me wonder if he had ever strapped in and taken one of his F1 creations for a ride. Can't imagine why he wouldn't want to... if he he could fit into one.
How many race car designers get to drive their cars in F1, or other categories for that matter?
Do designers often come from a driving background?
Would it make a difference in the creative ability they bring to their work?

[katmen]

yes, one of RBRs

[Imateria]

Hasn't he driven one of the Red Bulls up Goodwood Hill before?

[f1RacingForever]

Rb6 I believe.

[Tourgott]

 

Edited by Tourgott, 04 February 2015 - 13:04.

[Brother Fox]

Wasn't he given one as a present years ago?

Hell of a Christmas bonus

[revmeister]

Thanks Tourgott, those were great. Nice relaxed relationship between the Newey, Horner, and Coulthard.
Makes me wonder if any one has driven more Newey cars than Coulthard?

[Wander]

Thanks Tourgott, those were great. Nice relaxed relationship between the Newey, Horner, and Coulthard.
Makes me wonder if any one has driven more Newey cars than Coulthard?

 

I doubt it!

[EndlessMotion]

I'd imagine the kind of mileage the designer would have to cover in their own designed car along with being able to push the car close to the limits that the race drivers could, would make a pretty pointless exercise in terms of giving the designer additional creative ideas. Not impossible but definitely not practical. At least not in F1 level motorsport.

 

Pretty cool to see Newey taking the wheel of his own creation none the less

[Laura23]

He drove one of his early 90s Williams at some point as well. Can't find the photo to save myself at the moment though.

 

Here it is, https://twitter.com/...491117527515136

Edited by Laura23, 04 February 2015 - 13:32.

[Zava]

according to the Vettel hate club, he's been driving them during 2010-13, winning four WDCs on the trot.

[Boing 2]

It's no coincidence that two of the sports greatest designers are/were both very competitive drivers themselves  (Newey and Chapman)

[HoldenRT]

I like seeing amplifier designers play through their own amps, and I like seeing car designers drive their own cars.  I find it really cool.  They can't extract the same from it as others, but still enough to enjoy or appreciate what they have created.  It's nice to see both sides of it.  It gives a new empathy or understanding.  On a similar note, to be a sports fan.. it's nice if you can play the same sport as the one you watch, whether it be cricket, soccer, rugby, basketball, tennis, golf, racing etc.  For a similar reason, gives a better understanding and reduces the tendency for people to say things like "that one is crap, I could do better".  No... actually they are all really really good, even the "crap" ones.  And it's nice to appreciate that sometimes.  There was a video with Rocky and Seb in the last year or two, where they swapped jobs in the simulator with Seb being the engineer and Rocky being the driver.  Another similar thing...

[Newfoundlander]

I remember seeing a video somewhere of him driving the Leyton House March and the RB6

 

[Afterburner]

I read that Adrian Newey is an amateur race car driver, and it made me wonder if he had ever strapped in and taken one of his F1 creations for a ride.

Amateur? You don't finish 4th in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as an amateur.

[midgrid]

Amateur? You don't finish 4th in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as an amateur.

Unless it's the LMP2 or GTE-Am class, of course.

[BRG]

Amateur? You don't finish 4th in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as an amateur.

I think the OP was using the word 'amateur' in its correct sense of doing something for fun rather than for money.

[charly0418]

according to the Vettel hate club, he's been driving them during 2010-13, winning four WDCs on the trot.

 

I spit my water laughing, that was good one lol

[DampMongoose]

Having watched (at close quarters) him ridiculously destroy the barriers at Silverstone on a warm up lap in a Lamborghini, he should probably stick to wielding a set square.

[marchracer]

[ANF]

Having watched (at close quarters) him ridiculously destroy the barriers at Silverstone on a warm up lap in a Lamborghini, he should probably stick to wielding a set square.

It could happen to anyone everyone.

[Clatter]

Wasn't he given one as a present years ago?

Hell of a Christmas bonus

But it would be chassis only.

[Otaku]

That Leyton House is beautiful. THOSE TYRES!!!

[BCM]

After quali last night they were showing the Monaco Historic races from a couple weeks earlier. Adrian owns a beautifully restored Lotus 49B that he raced on the track.

 

They also showed some of the 70s F1 cars racing. By god they looked awesome. They were pretty quick as well. As much fun as watching the current F1s. Better in some respects as they could follow each other and they slid around on their wheels even with their wings. Really enjoyed it.

 

Edited by BCM, 29 May 2016 - 01:09.

[F1matt]

I remember listening to a Motorsport podcast a while ago and someone mentioned that Newey done some of the early testing of the active car? Hoping some can clarify that.