18 replies to this topic

[FlyingSaucer]

For a few months now, I have been interested in learning more about the evolution of on-board camera technologies in F1. 

 

The topic, despite being obscure, is of great relevance to all of us motorsport enthusiasts, since it is impossible today to think of a broadcast of the category without images from T-Cams, helmet-cams, gyro-cams, etc. 

 

With the discussion in a recent thread, I decided to create this separate topic, to discuss the development of this arm/technology connected to the sport. 

 

Feel free to share photos and knowledge related to the topic not only concerning F1, but any relevant motorsport category.

 

Cheers

Lorenzo

[FlyingSaucer]

 

 

One of the most interesting images from the early days of integrated camera technology in F1 cars is this photo taken in Modena, during a Maserati promotional campaign in 1957. The driver is the 'maestro' Juan Manuel Fangio, while the car is a Maserati 250F (chassis number ?).

Edited by FlyingSaucer, Today, 00:29.

[Rupertlt1]

RGDS RLT

[B Squared]

Not f1, but I was working one of the CART races at Michigan International Speedway in 1982 when Bill Alsup premiered this unit for onboard coverage for NBC's telecast.

"The combination of camera, transmitter and power pack weighed in at a mere 20 pounds."

Edited by B Squared, 16 May 2025 - 17:46.

[Doug Nye]

Take a look at these micro-mounts and teeny-weeny cameras....     

 

https://theasc.com/a...hing-grand-prix

 

DCN

[Vitesse2]

Mercedes Benz built a special W125 in 1937 for movie camera work - although it required an operator other than the driver. In 1939 it was used both before and after the Eifelrennen to film the cars of both MB and Auto Union for the German newsreels. In 'Dick and George' Seaman records that von Brauchitsch actually collided with a lorry during filming, Müller ran over some camera equipment at one point and Nuvolari managed to spin and stall his car on the return road from the Betonschleife, causing the others to have to do ‘some very serious tiller winding in order to avoid ramming him!’

[FlyingSaucer]

 

I don't remember the source of this image, but according to the caption I have saved on my HD, this photo was taken at Oulton Park, 1963 (so probably during some practice session for the X International Gold Cup).

 

Obviously Clark and the Lotus 25 in the image need no introduction.

[Doug Nye]

Looks like that was the camera installation which provided this footage...

 

https://www.dailymot...m/video/x2yo8pd

 

DCN

[B Squared]

From the other thread, Bobby Marshman tried out this helmet cam in the Pure Firebird Lotus 29 at Indianapolis in 1964

[Myhinpaa]

Jackie Stewart, Tyrrell 008, 1978 Monaco GP

 

 

https://www.gettyima...hoto/2160141570

 

Some of the footage was used in the 2004 documentary, "Jackie Stewart: The Flying Scot"

 

https://www.youtube....l=basZeroRACING

 

Patrick Depailler's run: https://www.youtube....Stef'sF1Archive

 

[10kDA]

Not F1, Mike Hawthorn at Le Mans, 1956, providing real-time commentary to go along with the film footage. Great descriptions of changes to the course for the 1956 race. Gotta give props for incorporating audio in this way, and to Mike as well for dodging traffic including bicycles during this "practice" session.

 

 

And of course Fangio's Maserati test from 1957.

 

[10kDA]

Take a look at these micro-mounts and teeny-weeny cameras....     

 

https://theasc.com/a...hing-grand-prix

 

DCN

 

Pic of John Stephens from the linked article:

 

 

Was a Scarab used in the filming of "Grand Prix"? Not that I knew of. And the camera was wrong for "Grand Prix".. Everything about the car said "Scarab" - wheel. suspension, body contours, but with a SBC? The telltale splayed-out short injection stacks were typical of the Scarab Mk i & II sports cars, but I had never heard of a V8 mounted in one of the Scarab GP cars. A quick internet search turned up Wouter's writeup on Ultimatecarpage:

 

https://www.ultimate...ffenhauser.html

 

"Reventlow retained his own car and fitted with a V8 engine it starred in a short movie by Bruce Kessler called the 'The Sound of Speed'."

 

Which led me to this:

 

 

Kickass! A great flick featuring a few seconds of footage of Lance's face from the camera as mounted in the pic as well as more excellent onboard footage, SBC noise, and a good look at long-lost Riverside.

 

Thanks, Doug and Wouter!

[PCC]

I have a distant memory of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend ca. 1972, and a Porsche 914 with an Imax camera hitting the track (Mosport) surrounded by a gaggle of Formula One cars. The cars passed and re-passed each other and the 914 for several laps in a series of simulated dices. The plan was to create some truly immersive on-board footage for the biggest of big screens.

 

An almost equally vague memory has me at the Imax theatre at Ontario Place some time later, seeing the film. I recall that it was fun, but a bit underwhelming because the cars were trundling around at Porsche 914 speed instead of Grand Prix speed.

 

Did anyone else here witness this, or see the film? Or did I just dream the whole thing?

[chr1s]

There was a whole series of onboards from the late 70's and early 80's on a two part  VHS video called "Lap of the gods", made by Alain Boisnard, most of which are probably available on YouTube, but well worth searching out. 

[68targa]

There was a whole series of onboards from the late 70's and early 80's on a two part  VHS video called "Lap of the gods", made by Alain Boisnard, most of which are probably available on YouTube, but well worth searching out. 

 Although the quality is not to the standard expected today I have just watched some of these from an old DVD I still have and find them to have a very raw and authentic view.  Some of the tracks were quite bumpy and no paddle shift gear changes so watching the drivers working hard, especially in the wet is entertaining. Worth watching just to see how fast and magnificent the original Osterreichring was.

[FlyingSaucer]

 

Another F1 Pic: This photo was apparently taken during the free practice sessions for the 1980 Italian GP, held in Imola. Jabouille's Renault RE20 was the testbed for this experimental setup, with a camera mounted above the engine cover.

Edited by FlyingSaucer, Today, 00:48.

[Parkesi]

There was a whole series of onboards from the late 70's and early 80's on a two part  VHS video called "Lap of the gods", made by Alain Boisnard, most of which are probably available on YouTube, but well worth searching out. 

If there is somebody out there who still knows what VHS is: I have the two videos and - if of interest -pass them on for free. Send me a message. 

[chr1s]

 Although the quality is not to the standard expected today I have just watched some of these from an old DVD I still have and find them to have a very raw and authentic view.  Some of the tracks were quite bumpy and no paddle shift gear changes so watching the drivers working hard, especially in the wet is entertaining. Worth watching just to see how fast and magnificent the original Osterreichring was.

I always loved the one of Patrick Depailler at Long Beach.

[Steffen]

The German Television station ZDF once claimed they had been the first to enter a car to a motor race, that had a live TV camera equipped.
This took place in 1966 (Porsche 904) and 1967 (Porsche 906) at the 1000km race at the Nürburgring.
The drivers were Paul Frére and ZDF moderator Rainer Günzler:

https://www.racingsp...-Günzler-D.html

A bit of technical information and a short bit of onboard footage can be seen here at 2:52:

https://www.youtube....h?v=GgFuAez5GAA

The German Grand Prix of 1966 was also broadcasted on TV. As many sections of the circuit didn't had a TV camera close by, they used pre-recorded onboard footage to fill the gap. The only problem: The onboard footage was taken on a dry day, while the race itself was wet.

You can see the inserted onboard footage here at 1:06:40:

https://www.youtube....h?v=2QprHxPzmQY