Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrated their latest Formula One title triumph in style this week by taking to the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai with former driver David Coulthard.
Perched 210 metres above the sea, on a helipad 24 metres wide, Infiniti Red Bull Racing’s 750bhp F1 car usually reserved for on-track use became the first to ever run atop the seven-star hotel’s helipad in a spectacular show of burning rubber and tire smoke and a stunning backdrop of the Arabian Gulf overlooking scenic views of Dubai’s impressive skyline.
Seconds after completing donuts in the car, Coulthard stepped out of the cockpit and said: “That was a lot of fun. When Red Bull first suggested the idea to me I said 'why not?
“I like getting involved with anything that pushes the boundaries and it's what Red Bull stands for. I think this will produce fantastic, iconic shots in an amazing town and I’m really privileged to be part of it.”
The Red Bull spectacle is arguably the most impressive of all the sporting moments to feature on the Burj Al Arab helipad.
In 2005, tennis stars Roger Federer and Andre Agassi famously took to the helipad – which was transformed into a makeshift tennis court – to promote the Dubai Open.
And last year, golf superstar Tiger Woods was filmed hitting golf balls off the helipad ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic.
“From Tiger Woods hitting golf balls from the helipad to Andre Agassi and Roger Federer playing tennis on it, images of the Burj Al Arab have gone around the world, increasing awareness of Dubai and evoking a desire to visit," said her Excellency Laila Mohammed Suhail, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.
“There could be no better way to both celebrate Red Bull’s recent win of the Formula One World Championship and look forward to the inaugural Dubai Motor Festival. Once again, images of one of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks will capture the imaginations of future visitors.”
Piers Schreiber, Spokesperson for Jumeirah Group, said: “Burj Al Arab has hosted many extraordinary events on its helipad, but none as exhilarating as a Formula One car in full spin.
"Not only is the hotel the most photographed and the most talked about in the world, it will soon class as having the most filmed helipad as well.”
