In a world-first moment that stunned motorsport fans and tech lovers alike, a custom-built racing drone kept pace with Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 car—the RB20—at Silverstone Circuit. Yes, you read that right. A flying machine matched the speed and agility of one of the fastest cars on Earth.
The drone, designed by Dutch Drone Gods in partnership with Red Bull Racing, wasn’t just fast, it was revolutionary. According to DroneXL, the drone hit speeds of over 350 km/h and accelerated from 0 to 300 km/h in just 4 seconds, beating the F1 car in straight-line acceleration. But this wasn’t just a drag race. The drone had to follow Verstappen’s car through tight corners, rapid braking zones, and high-speed straights, all while filming with two 4K cameras.
The pilot behind the controls, Ralph Hogenbirk, flew manually using FPV goggles, reacting in real time to Verstappen’s every move. No GPS. No auto-tracking. Just pure skill. “I didn’t recognize the drone; I didn’t know it was following me… it was very close in some places, so it’s great to see,” Verstappen said after the flight, clearly impressed by the drone’s performance.
This feat wasn’t easy. The drone had a battery life of just 3 minutes, and its rotors spun at 42,000 rpm, generating enough thrust to stay airborne and match the car’s pace. Engineers had to overcome overheating issues, aerodynamic challenges, and signal interference. But after months of trial and error, the drone completed a full lap behind Verstappen marking a new chapter in sports filming.
According to AV Interactive, this drone is the first of its kind to keep up with an F1 car for an entire lap. It’s not just about speed, it’s about precision. The drone had to dive, climb, and bank in sync with the car, staying within meters of it while capturing cinematic footage.
The implications are huge. This could change how fans experience Formula 1. Imagine watching a race from above, with drones weaving through the track, offering angles never seen before. It’s not just thrilling, it’s immersive.
While there are no plans yet to use drones in live F1 broadcasts, the success of this project opens the door. With further testing and safety improvements, drones could become part of the future of motorsports coverage.
For now, the Red Bull Drone 1 stands as a symbol of what’s possible when engineering meets imagination. It didn’t just chase a car, it chased history.
Engineering marvel
Built by the Dutch Drone Gods in collaboration with Red Bull Racing, this drone was designed specifically to chase a Formula 1 car—Max Verstappen’s RB20—around the Silverstone Circuit. According to Red Bull, it reached a top speed of 350 km/h and accelerated from 0 to 300 km/h in just 4 seconds, outpacing the F1 car in straight-line speed.
Its body is made from carbon fiber, glass fiber, and 3D-printed polymers, keeping the weight under 1 kg. That lightweight frame is crucial for agility and speed, especially when diving into corners or climbing above turbulent air.
Power and limitations
The drone’s rotors spin at a mind-blowing 42,000 rpm, generating enough thrust to stay airborne and match the car’s pace. But all that power comes at a cost: the battery lasts just 3 minutes. That’s barely enough for one lap but it’s all the drone needed to make history.
Cinematic precision
Equipped with two 4K cameras, the drone captured stunning footage while flying just 1–2 meters above the car in corners and up to 20 meters on straights. The pilot, Ralph Hogenbirk, flew manually using FPV goggles no GPS, no auto-tracking. He had to react in real time to Verstappen’s braking, acceleration, and cornering.
Human skill meets machine speed
Flying at these speeds isn’t just technical, it’s mental. The pilot described the experience as an “out-of-body” moment, where his mind felt fully connected to the drone. He had to stay calm, focused, and responsive, adjusting altitude and angle constantly to keep the car in frame.
What this means for the future
The success of the Red Bull Drone 1 isn’t just a cool stunt, it could change how we watch sports. Traditional cameras are limited by trackside positions and fixed angles. But drones like this one can fly above, behind, and beside athletes in real time, offering views that were once impossible.
According to DroneXL, this technology could lead to live drone coverage in future races, once safety and signal reliability are perfected. It’s not just about racing either, other sports like cycling, skiing, and even football could benefit from dynamic aerial footage.
Beyond sports, this innovation pushes drone engineering to new heights. The Red Bull Drone 1 had to overcome overheating, battery limits, and aerodynamic challenges. These lessons could lead to better drones for filmmaking, search and rescue, and even delivery services.
In short, this race wasn’t just between a car and a drone it was a race toward the future.
What’s next?
The team hopes to upgrade the drone with live-streaming capabilities, which could revolutionize how fans experience motorsports. Imagine watching a race with drones zipping through the track, offering dynamic, real-time aerial views. As DroneXL notes, this project wasn’t just about speed, it was about pushing the limits of drone technology and storytelling.
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