Hamilton and engineers from his Mercedes AMG Petronas team, together with BBC commentator and former-F1 star David Coulthard, spent a day with the Red Arrows at their base at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. 

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The session provided the F1 team with an insight into the detailed preparation and planning needed for every Red Arrows display and how its pilots rely on the expertise of the engineers and support staff – known as the Blues – to perform at the highest level.

Before flying with the Red Arrows in a regular, scheduled practice both Hamilton and Coulthard went through a rigorous medical check and had to attend the aircrew’s safety briefings.

They were then each strapped into the back seat of two of the team’s distinctive Hawk T1 jets before being taken on a short “shakedown sortie”, to ensure they could cope with the flight’s physical demands – experiencing G-forces of up to 4.5G.

Following a debrief, Hamilton took his own Silver Arrow, a Mercedes F1 demo car, along the runway at RAF Scampton while Squadron Leader Mike Ling – known as Red 10 – piloted the Hawk carrying Coulthard overhead, with the car and jet reaching respective speeds of 300kph (188mph) and 1,000kph (620mph).

Later, Hamilton and Coulthard were flown in a planned Red Arrows practice formation – similar to the performance that British Grand Prix crowds will see when the team display at Silverstone before the race on Sunday.

The session, which was filmed by the BBC for a feature to be shown during their pre-race coverage of the sporting event, allowed both the Red Arrows and the Formula One team to compare the similarities of their hi-tech and precision operations.

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Squadron Leader Jim Turner, team leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said: “The Red Arrows were honoured to be able to host the Mercedes AMG Petronas team at our home base at RAF Scampton.

“The importance of effective teamwork and the emphasis on safety were the most obvious similarities between our two teams, with the quality and skill of both the engineers and the operators very clear to see.

“Both David and Lewis were exceptionally friendly and down-to-earth and were very keen to mingle with the personnel, friends and families who were there on the day.

“I would like to thank the personnel of the Red Arrows, the Mercedes AMG Petronas team and the BBC for making such a special day possible.”

Hamilton said: “ We had an amazing day with the Red Arrows and I absolutely loved the experience of flying with their team.

“To see first-hand how skilled the pilots are, and the similarities to the level of teamwork and precision that we need to get the best out of a Formula One car, was fascinating

“The loops and rolls in the jet are such an intense experience and I’ve got so much admiration for those guys and their unbelievable flying skills.

“A big thank you to everyone at RAF Scampton for such an incredible experience, for allowing us to go behind the scenes of their practice display, and for making us feel so welcome.”

Squadron Leader Mike Ling, Red 10, who flew David Coulthard, said: “I was able to speak with David in the cockpit and it was interesting to hear his perspective on how the experience of flying at close to 1,000kph compared to driving a Formula One car.

“He was surprised at how sensitive the jet’s controls are and impressed with the skill it takes to fly in close formation.

“What came across during the day, and hopefully what television viewers will also see, is the similarity between the teamwork required in Formula One and the Royal Air Force.

“The driver of the car is the tip of the iceberg when you consider the team of engineers and specialists in the Mercedes garage and factory.

“And, although it is the nine pilots of the Red Arrows who fly the display, there are another 100 engineers and support staff who ensure the team continue to perform to such a high standard.”

The importance of engineering excellence, both for Formula One and in the Royal Air Force, was clear when each of the teams’ support staff and ground crew were also able to share their experience at the practice, held on June 21.

Squadron Leader Josh Fortune, senior engineering officer of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said: “Just as the F1 drivers wouldn’t be able to leave their pit garages without their mechanics and engineers, our Red Arrows pilots rely on the expertise of the Blues – the team’s engineers and support staff – to service and prepare the Hawk aircraft before every display.

 

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“The day of filming was a great opportunity to host the Mercedes AMG Petronas team at RAF Scampton and for each teams’ engineers to demonstrate their professionalism and need to work at the very highest level in terms of performance, precision and safety.”

Squadron Leader Fortune said one of the most interesting parts of the day was the chance to compare roles with Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer, Peter Bonnington.

He said: “We reflected on the similarities of our posts, the skills and focus required in each and the roles of the team as a whole, with a great degree of mutual appreciation being observed.”

The performance by the nine Red Arrows jets at the British Grand Prix is part of their 2013 display season.

After Silverstone, the team will be seen at the RAF Waddington International Air Show, Lincolnshire, on July 6 and July 7 – where they will complete their 4,500th display since being formed in 1965.