Formula 1 has released behind-the-scenes footage explaining how the striking drone shots featured during last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix were captured, offering fans a closer look at one of the sport’s latest broadcast innovations.
The high-speed first-person-view drones tracked cars around the Red Bull Ring as George Russell claimed his second victory of the season ahead of Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli, producing sweeping camera angles that quickly became one of the most discussed aspects of the television coverage.
Video released by Formula 1 showed the drones being operated from trackside while flying alongside the racing. Safety regulations prevent the aircraft from flying directly above the cars in case of a mechanical failure, but they were still able to capture dramatic low-angle views of battles on track.
Many fans welcomed the new perspective, praising the cinematic quality of the footage.
“A little bit of refinement and this will be excellent. I really like the addition,” one fan wrote on Reddit.
Another described the drone sequences during the battle between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton as “pure gold.”
Not everyone was convinced, however, with some viewers arguing that the aggressive camera movement was distracting during a live race.
“Love the shots, but it’s way too tilted. It actually makes me feel ill to watch,” one fan commented.
Another suggested the footage would be more effective in edited highlights than as part of the live broadcast, saying the rapid movements appeared unstable and dizzying in real time.
Some observers also noted the technical limitations facing the new system.
“This is live broadcast footage of high-speed action,” one commenter wrote. “An FPV drone with a normal front-facing camera will always look like this. I don’t think they’ll ever let drones fly directly above the cars.”
Formula 1 has experimented with drones before, first introducing FPV drone footage during the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix using equipment carrying an action camera. Since then, both the drone technology and broadcast integration have evolved considerably, allowing for smoother tracking shots and higher-quality images.
The Austrian Grand Prix marked the most ambitious use of the technology to date, with Formula 1 continuing to explore new ways of bringing viewers closer to the action while maintaining strict safety standards during live racing.
