F1
Winter Adventures: Max’s Snowrun in Kitzbühel
There’s nothing quite like the rush of a Formula 1 engine roaring down a racetrack, but what happens when that engine meets the icy terrain of a ski resort?
Max is no stranger to pushing the limits of motorsport, but his challenge at Kitzbühel’s Hahnenkamm Festival in 2016 took things to a whole new level. As the world’s best skiers prepared to race the legendary Streif course, Max was about to take an F1 car where it had never gone before—into the snow.
Charing Down A Ski Run In Kitzbühel
© Getty Images
It wasn’t just any ski resort—it was Kitzbühel, a place revered by alpine skiers for its iconic, treacherous Streif course. This course isn’t just the pinnacle of winter sports; it’s considered the ultimate test of bravery, fitness, and skill, drawing the world’s best to race its perilous slopes. As the legendary Hahnenkamm World Cup races loomed, Oracle Red Bull Racing had a unique idea—take an F1 car and put it through its paces on snow.
For Max, who had already made a name for himself as a rising star in Formula 1, the challenge was clear: to drive a car built for hot tarmac on an alien surface that could barely be called a road. The question wasn’t just about speed—it was about control, precision, and pushing the boundaries of what an F1 car could do.
I’ve never driven on snow before. We had to put chains on the tires—such a unique experience.
A Modified F1 Car Meets the Alps
The Oracle Red Bull Racing showcar team wasn’t about to let snow and ice stop them. They worked tirelessly to modify the car, ensuring it could survive the freezing conditions while maintaining the performance that an F1 car is known for. Snow tires, specially designed for the occasion, were fitted onto the car. And the engine, typically tuned for heat, had to be re-tuned to handle the cold. Even the car’s setup had to be adjusted to make sure Max could take on the challenge with as much precision and control as possible.
The team’s work paid off. When Max hit the slopes in the snow-covered F1 car, it was clear that this wasn’t just a show—it was a daring feat of motorsport.
2 min
The making of the Red Bull F1 snow run
See how Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen took an F1 car up a ski slope.
A Spectacle in the Snow
As Max’s F1 car roared to life against the backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, the crowd of ski fans and motorsport enthusiasts at Kitzbühel were in for a treat. The sound of the F1 engine echoed through the mountains, thrilling those lucky enough to witness the historic Snowrun. The roar of the engine was a far cry from the swoosh of skis, yet it blended effortlessly with the alpine atmosphere.
Max Verstappen stops to make an iced donut
© Philip Platzer/Red Bull Content Pool
Among the crowd was none other than Austrian F1 legend Gerhard Berger, who marveled at the spectacle. “Many of the fans here have probably never had the chance to experience Formula One up close,” he said. “Seeing an F1 car this close, against this giant backdrop, is quite unique. You can really feel the power of the engine.”
Max himself was equally impressed by the experience. The terrain was unlike any racetrack he’d ever seen, and despite his skill, the snow presented a unique challenge. It wasn’t just about driving fast—it was about survival and precision. “It was a real challenge,” he reflected, “but so much fun. And the enthusiasm of the fans in Kitzbühel made it all the more special.”
Snow showers: Max Verstappen sprays fans with snow
© Philip Platzer/Red Bull Content Pool
Max Verstappen stops to make an iced donut
© Philip Platzer/Red Bull Content Pool
Snow drift: Max Verstappen at the Hahnenkamm
© Philip Platzer/Red Bull Content Pool
Max gets to grip with the snow tyres
© Philip Platzer/Red Bull Content Pool
The Kitzbühel Snowrun was a stunning visual metaphor for the spirit of adventure and innovation that defines Oracle Red Bull Racing.
Dr. Helmut Marko, Oracle Red Bull Racing’s motorsport director, described the Snowrun as the perfect advertisement for Formula 1. “It shows exactly what you can do with a little imagination,” he said, hinting at the idea that, with creativity and determination, anything is possible. And for fans, it wasn’t just a chance to see an F1 car in an unexpected place; it was an opportunity to feel the intensity and excitement of motorsport in a whole new environment.
Max's unforgettable Snowrun at Kitzbühel seamlessly blended the thrill of Formula 1 with the festive frenzy of winter sports, creating an atmosphere so exciting it felt as though even Rudolph himself might be racing through the snow. Whether navigating snow-covered terrain, conquering the challenges of a world-renowned ski resort, or pushing the limits of an F1 car, Oracle Red Bull Racing continues to prove that the boundaries of motorsport are only defined by imagination.