RAF Tornado GR4 v Williams Formula 1 Training Comparison

On 2, 3 and 11 July 2007 a TV Production Team, Sunset & Vine will be filming at RAF Marham. The purpose is to produce 8 half-hour programmes for BBC World, in which Williams Formula 1 and the RAF are compared ‘like with like’.

The particular areas the BBC wishes to show are the roles of teamwork, leadership, use of advanced technology, training and equipment. On the first day of filming members of the Williams Formula 1 team, including Alex Wurz, one of the test drivers, will be filmed at various locations on the Station ‘shadowing’ Service personnel.

The locations where the filming is to take place are still to be finalised. However, the hot-refuelling area on Bravo Dispersal, Simulator, High Ropes Course and PBF are currently ‘front runners’.

On the second day of filming, the Production Company will concentrate on the leadership and teamwork of the RAF.

On 11 July camera crews will act as ‘flies on-the-wall’ and film action shots during the Sector level Training exercise Taught Focus 8.

The Series Producer, Mr Chris Chaundler, after his initial recce visit last week, said “I have been ‘blown-away’ by the sheer over-load of information I have been exposed to during my recce. There is so much synergy between Williams F1 and the RAF and it is my job to portray accurately that fact and I look forward to the challenge”.



Photo Caption: Alex Wurz, Williams F1 driver, preparing for his flight in a GR4 Tornado. The flight was to show the synergy between Formula driving and flying a combat aircraft as part of a BBC World Service Programme scheduled to be release in the Autumn.

Formula for Success at RAF Marham
The BBC World Services has commissioned an 8 series programme called ‘Formula for Success’. The series will examine the synergy between Williams Formula One and the RAF in areas such as; leadership, management style, teamwork, technology and training. Part of the synergy was to expose a Formula One driver to the Conditions Aircrew work under and what better way than to fly Alex Wurz in the back seat of a GR4 Tornado. After briefings, a medical and been kitted out in his flying suit. Alex experiences a one hour 40 minute sortie with Squadron Leader Graeme Bagnall of No 2 (Army Co-operation) Squadron based at RAF Marham in Norfolk.

The sortie comprised of low level, simulated attacks against predetermined ‘targets’ and bombing attacks at a bombing range on the East Coast. On returning to RAF Marham, Alex said “The flight in a Tornado was very exciting and I very much admire the skills and professionalism of the RAF aircrew. The turning and acceleration is not dissimilar to that in a Formula One Car”.

The series will be shown on BBC World Service later this year.