Infiniti Red Bull Racing team relies on FLIR cameras to gather temperature data

Formula One racing is probably the pinnacle of performance & speed in sports. And itÂ’s as much a development race as it is a race on track. Racing teams are always pushing the boundaries of technology in search of higher performance and reliability. This is no different with the Infiniti Red Bull Racing team, who recently called upon FLIR to help them gather critical temperature data for a variety of trackside & factory activities.

In 2014 FLIR Systems was named an Innovation Partner with Infiniti Red Bull Racing. The famous racing team has since been working together with FLIR to gather temperature data from its 2014 challenger, the RB10. In the partnership, FLIR is developing solutions using its world-class miniature thermal cameras, like the FLIR Lepton core, to provide the Infiniti Red Bull Racing team with unique insights into the thermal characteristics of their carsÂ’ components & operations. Managing car temperatures effectively is a key aspect of ensuring reliability.

Commenting on the collaboration, Christian Horner, Team Principal of Infiniti Red Bull Racing, said: “This year sees the most fundamental changes to Formula One in well over a decade. The team which is most efficient in gathering the relevant data, learning effectively and adapting accordingly will be the one which triumphs in this season of transition. The insights which FLIR technology can give us will be critical to our understanding of the new car and could give us a key edge over our rivals.”

“Thermal imaging has become a vital tool for controlling temperature management & tyre performance. FLIR’s considerable expertise in this area will be a crucial factor in making the technology work in the demanding environments experienced in modern Formula One racing.”

But Infiniti Red Bull Racing is not only using thermal imaging on the trackside. The same drive for performance and reliability is felt at the Infiniti Red Bull Racing headquarters in Milton Keynes, UK. Also here, thermal imaging cameras from FLIR help to monitor critical temperatures for the companyÂ’s assets. To this end, the Infiniti Red Bull Racing team purchased a variety of thermal imaging cameras and test & measurement equipment.

“As our partnership with FLIR has grown, we have taken advantage of FLIR’s vast experience with electrical measuring equipment and thermal imaging technology to help us off track as well,” says Alan Peasland, Head of Technical Partnerships. “So we have trackside technology, but we also have FLIR helping us in and around our factory.”

“The FLIR E4 & E8 cameras have vastly improved the way we perform electrical and IT maintenance and inspection activities,” says Steven Geary, Maintenance Manager at Infiniti Red Bull Racing. “When inspecting large arrays of electrical switches & junction boxes, we are able to thermally look for hot-spots & problem areas when the live wiring is exposed. YouTube link:
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