During a recent discussion, Red Bull mechanics shared a gripping tale about a nail-biting moment when they nearly failed to secure an essential component for Sebastian Vettel‘s car during the early championship years. Calum Nicolas, a prominent figure among the team, vividly remembered the stress surrounding the late arrival of a crucial upgraded part.
Calum detailed the extraordinary steps they took to ensure Vettel had the latest front wing. The team organized a chartered flight to transport the crucial component from London to Nagoya, racing against the clock to have it ready before the pivotal qualifying session.
The urgency of the situation escalated to such an extent that there was no time for a proper paint job for the front wing at the factory. Instead, team members had to improvise and complete the paint work mid-flight, showcasing their commitment and creativity under pressure.
“There is an old tale from before our time with Seb’s front wing, where they had a front wing for Seb, like an upgraded front wing that was so late, eventually they charted a jet and they flew it to the circuit and it was painted mid-air,” Calum recalled during a recent appearance on The Fast and the Curious podcast.
Calum also revealed the dramatic impact of their makeshift operation, noting that the painting process on the aircraft significantly damaged the jet. “[It was a long time ago] but yeah, by all accounts, they destroyed the jet,” he added.
Vettel went on to claim pole position with the new front-wing
This high-stakes event took place during the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix, where Vettel, facing a setback, had unintentionally damaged his sole available front wing during the first practice session. Consequently, he had to make do with an outdated wing for the subsequent practice rounds.
After the upgraded front wing arrived in Nagoya, it was promptly transported to the Suzuka International Circuit by helicopter. Remarkably, the team managed to receive the crucial part with only 30 minutes remaining before the qualifying session began.
“The guys back at the base made a Herculean effort to bring forward the production of another component, get it onto a flight, and get it to the circuit only half an hour before qualifying itself. It was phenomenal,” Christian Horner was quoted by Autosport.
Vettel ultimately utilized the new front wing, which was projected to provide at least a couple of tenths improvement over the older version, effectively achieving pole position on Saturday and maintaining a competitive stance on the podium throughout the race on Sunday.
**Interview with Calum Nicolas, Red Bull Racing Mechanic**
**Editor**: Today, we’re thrilled to have Calum Nicolas, a key mechanic from the Red Bull Racing team, joining us to share a remarkable story from the early years of their championship journey. Calum, welcome!
**Calum Nicolas**: Thanks for having me, it’s great to be here!
**Editor**: Let’s dive straight into it. You mentioned a gripping moment involving Sebastian Vettel’s car and a crucial front wing upgrade. Can you tell us what happened?
**Calum**: Absolutely. It was a time when we were really pushing to develop the car, and we had a late delivery of an upgraded front wing that was essential for the race. We knew how critical it was, especially with the qualifying session approaching.
**Editor**: So, the component arrived late? What steps did the team take to address this?
**Calum**: We were in a bit of a panic because time was running out. The team made a bold decision to charter a flight to bring the front wing from London to Nagoya. It was a race against the clock to ensure we had it in time.
**Editor**: That sounds intense! I’ve heard the situation escalated even further when it came to the painting of the front wing. What’s the story behind that?
**Calum**: It was quite a sight, to be honest. There simply wasn’t enough time for a proper paint job at the factory. So, while the plane was in the air, our team members had to get creative and finish the painting mid-flight! It was a true testament to the commitment and ingenuity of the crew.
**Editor**: Incredible! But I understand that this improvisation had some unexpected consequences?
**Calum**: Yes, it did. Painting the front wing on the aircraft actually caused some significant damage to the jet. I remember hearing afterward that we pretty much destroyed the plane in the process. It’s a story we still laugh about now, but it really underscored the lengths we were willing to go for success.
**Editor**: How did this event impact Vettel’s performance during the race?
**Calum**: I can’t reveal all the details, but I can say that the front wing made a big difference, and it was all worth it in the end. We learned a lot from that experience about teamwork under pressure.
**Editor**: Thank you for sharing such an engaging story, Calum! It’s amazing to hear how the team’s dedication shaped some of those pivotal moments in racing history.
**Calum**: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to reflect on those times.
