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Ever wanted to know what's hiding inside the toolbox of a Formula 1 mechanic? Which super tools they use to work on these multi-million dollars racecars? We provide the (shocking) answer here...
Auto123.com had the chance to discuss the matter in Montreal with Ole Schack, front-end mechanic on Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull RB10.
“One of the design team's top challenges is to make things simple and use just a few tools to make things standardised,” told Schack.
“Obviously, on a racecar, everything is about weight. So, you try to make things as light as possible, but also strong enough. That has an influence on the tools we have to use,” he continued.
Schack then made us a revelation, as we were expecting that he'd use quite sophisticated equipment.
“We use normal tools, small spanners, sockets like 3/8ths, 1/4ths, ½, screwdrivers, pliers; very simple stuff indeed. If you'd see my toolbox, you'd be surprised. It's quite tiny. I think Anna's [from Red Bull Racing PR] makeup box is bigger than my toolbox!” Schack laughed.
“Most of the tools we use are imperial. We get used to it after a while. It comes from the aircraft industry since British motorsport really started after the end of WWII,” he added.
“A spanner is a spanner. A socket is a socket. It's the same whatever you work on. It doesn't matter if you work in Formula Ford or in Formula 1 or whatever series. Maybe our nuts and bolts are a bit smaller, but that's all,” he continued.
“In the lower Formulas, you need to have your own tool kit. You take that with you wherever you go. You know where your tools are. There's nothing worse than [having] to use someone else's toolbox. It's like working with someone else's computer or mobile phone because you are used to working with your own things,” Schack indicated.
“You can close your eyes, and you can find anything without a problem. It's not only that we know exactly where things are, but if there's one spanner missing you cannot send the car out of the garage before you find it. Maybe someone borrowed it. But I need to know where it is. Aircraft industry is the same. You don't have an aircraft leave the hangar unless every tool is found. It may be where it shouldn't be and that can cause all sorts of problems,” he explained.
“I have a small toolbox I take with me to the starting grid; but you're not supposed to use tools on the grid because that means there's a problem. Hopefully it remains sealed on the grid!” Ole Schack concluded.
Auto123.com had the chance to discuss the matter in Montreal with Ole Schack, front-end mechanic on Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull RB10.
“One of the design team's top challenges is to make things simple and use just a few tools to make things standardised,” told Schack.
“Obviously, on a racecar, everything is about weight. So, you try to make things as light as possible, but also strong enough. That has an influence on the tools we have to use,” he continued.
 |
| Sebastian Vettel and Ole Schack. (Photo: Red Bull) |
Schack then made us a revelation, as we were expecting that he'd use quite sophisticated equipment.
“We use normal tools, small spanners, sockets like 3/8ths, 1/4ths, ½, screwdrivers, pliers; very simple stuff indeed. If you'd see my toolbox, you'd be surprised. It's quite tiny. I think Anna's [from Red Bull Racing PR] makeup box is bigger than my toolbox!” Schack laughed.
“Most of the tools we use are imperial. We get used to it after a while. It comes from the aircraft industry since British motorsport really started after the end of WWII,” he added.
 |
| Photo: Red Bull |
“A spanner is a spanner. A socket is a socket. It's the same whatever you work on. It doesn't matter if you work in Formula Ford or in Formula 1 or whatever series. Maybe our nuts and bolts are a bit smaller, but that's all,” he continued.
“In the lower Formulas, you need to have your own tool kit. You take that with you wherever you go. You know where your tools are. There's nothing worse than [having] to use someone else's toolbox. It's like working with someone else's computer or mobile phone because you are used to working with your own things,” Schack indicated.
“You can close your eyes, and you can find anything without a problem. It's not only that we know exactly where things are, but if there's one spanner missing you cannot send the car out of the garage before you find it. Maybe someone borrowed it. But I need to know where it is. Aircraft industry is the same. You don't have an aircraft leave the hangar unless every tool is found. It may be where it shouldn't be and that can cause all sorts of problems,” he explained.
“I have a small toolbox I take with me to the starting grid; but you're not supposed to use tools on the grid because that means there's a problem. Hopefully it remains sealed on the grid!” Ole Schack concluded.
 |
| Red Bull RB10. (Photo: René Fagnan) |