Red Bull Supercar drivers smash lap record in F1 RB7 test at The Bend

Red Bull Supercars drivers Broc Feeney and Will Brown traded their touring cars for a championship-winning Formula 1 machine, taking the wheel of the RB7 at The Bend Motorsport Park. Under the guidance of former F1 drivers Scott Speed and Brendon Hartley, the Australians set blistering times on the 3.4km West Circuit, with Feeney ultimately setting a new lap record.

Why it matters:

This demonstration highlights the immense skill crossover between top-level motorsport categories and provides a rare, direct comparison of driver talent in iconic machinery. It also serves as a powerful showcase for Red Bull's racing legacy, connecting their current Supercars stars with the team's dominant F1 history in a compelling driver-focused event.

The details:

• The session was a head-to-head challenge between the two reigning Supercars champions, organized with former Red Bull F1 drivers Scott Speed and Brendon Hartley as hosts and mentors.
• Broc Feeney drove first after losing a rock-paper-scissors match to Will Brown, noting the tight confines of the cockpit with a surprised "F*** me, it's small in here."
• Feeney's initial lap time was a 1m11.3s, which he progressively improved over his five-lap run, exclaiming "Oh my goodness, that's so fun, thank you. I'm so sore," upon returning.
• Will Brown's stint began with a stall and a lock-up at the first corner, but the 27-year-old found his rhythm in the powerful V8 machine as the laps progressed.
• The final times saw Feeney come out on top with a record lap of 1m06.6s, beating Brown's best effort of 1m07.9s on the circuit layout.

The big picture:

The Red Bull RB7 is a significant car in F1 history, having secured the 2011 Constructors' Championship and Sebastian Vettel's second drivers' title during a season with 12 wins and 27 podiums. This test continues the car's legacy as a demonstration vehicle, having previously been driven by the likes of Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, and Liam Lawson in similar showcases. Events like this bridge generations of Red Bull drivers and offer fans a unique look at the performance gap and physical demands between different racing disciplines.