Williams F1 Team Principal Sir Frank Williams recently met members of the RAF Red Arrows - the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team - at the British embassy in Doha.
Sir Williams, who was in Doha following the recent Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to visit the Williams Technology Centre at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), said: “ There is a lot of common ground between Formula One and fast jets. We’re both using the latest developments in research, science and technology to refine our products and seek performance advantages. We both use cutting-edge simulation technology to train our pilots, with Williams going a step further in Qatar and using this technology to train regular road users.”
Sir Williams said Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture is a great way for Formula One and other hi-tech industries from the UK to share their expertise with Qatar. Referring to the RAF Red Arrows, he added: “This event was an enjoyable way of highlighting our burgeoning bilateral relationship. The work the Williams Advanced Engineering team is doing here at QSTP in both immersive driving simulators and high-powered flywheel energy storage systems is outstanding and it is especially rewarding to see our motorsport technologies being applied to real-life situations in Qatar.”
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team was displaying in Qatar as part of a major Middle East tour. The team is also expected to perform at Al Ain and Abu Dhabi in the UAE as well as in Kuwait and Oman. Visits will also be made to Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
It is hoped that thousands of people will watch the Red Arrows during the five-week tour of the region. Those attending the displays will see the team’s distinctive red jets perform a series of precision formations and dynamic loops and rolls. The Red Arrows represent the United Kingdom and have been thrilling crowds at home and overseas since the 1960s.
Squadron Leader Jim Turner, team leader of the Red Arrows, said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to have been invited to the Middle East and have the opportunity to perform our display in so many wonderful locations. We take great pride and pleasure in being able to demonstrate our flying in all of these places – some of which we have never visited before, while others we are very pleased to be afforded the opportunity to return to.”
Sir Frank Williams with members of the Red Arrows at the British embassy following their recent display in Doha.
