The inside story of Red Bull's dominance with Calum Nicholas

Matt Baker is joined by Senior Power Unit Assembly Technician Calum Nicholas, to talk all things Red Bull and Max Verstappen's dominance.

Having worked with other Red Bull drivers, he discusses what puts Max on another level and how 'perfection' has led him to chase record after record.

Calum also tells us the moment he realised the RB19 was a world title winning car and reveals how they plan to take back their fastest pit stop record after McLaren timed in a 1.8 stop during the Qatar GP.

## Podcast Episode Summary: Celebrating Max Verstappen's Third World Championship Title with Red Bull's Senior Power Unit Assembly Technician, Calum Nicholas

### Overview:

In this bonus episode, Matt Baker engages in a lively conversation with Calum Nicholas, Senior Power Unit Assembly Technician at Red Bull Racing, to delve into the team's remarkable achievements, particularly Max Verstappen's third world championship victory. Calum offers insights into the team's dynamics, the RB19 car's performance, and the significance of their pit stop record.

### Key Insights:

1. **Team Atmosphere and Energy:** Calum describes the electrifying atmosphere within the Red Bull Racing team, fueled by their consistent success throughout the season. The team's focus remains unwavering as they aim to finish the season as strongly as they started.

2. **Max Verstappen's Exceptional Talent:** Calum emphasizes Max Verstappen's relentless pursuit of perfection, which has led him to break records and achieve remarkable feats. He highlights Max's ability to adapt and deliver consistently, regardless of the challenges.

3. **The RB19's Dominance:** Calum recalls the moment he realized the RB19 car had the potential to win the world championship. He attributes the car's success to its speed, reliability, and the team's meticulous attention to detail.

4. **Pit Stop Record:** While McLaren recently set a new record for the fastest pit stop, Calum expresses his determination to reclaim the title for Red Bull Racing. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork, coordination, and practice in achieving flawless pit stops.

5. **Work-Life Balance and Team Celebrations:** Calum acknowledges the intense workload and long hours required in Formula One, but he also highlights the team's efforts to maintain a work-life balance. He mentions that celebrations for Max Verstappen's world championship victory will likely take place at a later date due to the team's busy schedule.

6. **Bonuses and Motivation:** Calum confirms that the team receives bonuses for their achievements, including Constructors' Championship wins and race victories. He emphasizes that while bonuses are appreciated, the primary motivation for the team remains the pursuit of success and the desire to win.

7. **Max Verstappen's Unique Attributes:** Calum draws comparisons between Max Verstappen and other drivers he has worked with, highlighting Max's ability to combine raw talent, race management skills, determination, and a holistic understanding of the sport. He believes Max is currently in his prime and is capable of maintaining his exceptional performance.

8. **The RB19's Development and Performance:** Calum recalls his initial impressions of the RB19 during its assembly and testing phases. He mentions that while the car looked promising, it was only after the first few races that the team realized its true potential. He credits the designers and engineers for their meticulous work in developing a car that could challenge for wins throughout the season.

9. **Pit Crew Dynamics and Mind Games:** Calum discusses the competitive nature of pit crews and the psychological aspect of pit stop practice. He reveals that teams often engage in mind games, such as watching other teams' practice sessions to gain insights and potentially distract them.

10. **Christian Horner's Leadership Style:** Calum describes Christian Horner's open and approachable leadership style. He mentions that Christian regularly interacts with the team members, seeking their feedback and ensuring they feel valued. Christian also conducts debriefs after each race to keep the factory staff informed and motivated.

11. **Relationship with Adrian Newey:** Calum acknowledges Adrian Newey's reserved personality but highlights his immense contribution to the team's success. He mentions that Adrian's presence in the garage is always welcomed, as he is constantly seeking ways to improve the car's performance.


**Key Insights:**

* **Calum's Observation of Max Verstappen's Unique Traits:** Calum highlights Max Verstappen's relentless pursuit of perfection, constant sketching and note-taking, and his ability to identify areas for improvement.

* **The Moment Calum Realized the RB19's Championship Potential:** Calum pinpoints the Japanese Grand Prix as the moment he recognized the RB19's championship-winning capabilities.

* **Red Bull's Plan to Reclaim the Fastest Pit Stop Record:** The team aims to reclaim the fastest pit stop record, currently held by McLaren, which stands at 1.8 seconds.

* **Calum's Experience of the Red Bull Team Culture:** He emphasizes the strong sense of camaraderie and inclusivity within the team, where everyone contributes to the overall success.

* **Calum's Perspective on Adrian Newey's Work Style:** Calum describes Adrian Newey's unique approach to car design, involving constant sketching and note-taking, even in the midst of team activities.

* **The Importance of Team Chemistry and Diversity:** Calum stresses the significance of maintaining a positive team atmosphere, where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their role.

* **Calum's Role as Senior Power Unit Assembly Technician:** He explains his responsibilities, which include overseeing the build and service of power unit components, ensuring compliance with specifications, and managing the integration of the power unit into the chassis.

* **A Typical Race Week for Calum:** He outlines the sequence of events during a race week, including car preparation, pre-race checks, pit stop practice, and managing the car throughout the race weekend.

* **Calum's Preference for Smooth Race Weekends:** While he acknowledges the adrenaline rush of challenging weekends, Calum expresses his preference for stress-free race weekends, emphasizing the sense of pride that comes from overcoming adversity.

* **Calum's Social Media Presence:** He reflects on how his social media following grew, initially due to Drive to Survive and later because of his commitment to engaging with fans, inspiring young people, and promoting diversity in Formula One.

* **Calum's Role Models in Formula One:** He acknowledges the lack of representation for diverse backgrounds in Formula One during his early career but highlights the importance of finding inspiring mentors who can guide and support aspiring individuals.

* **Calum's Perspective on Lewis Hamilton's Impact:** He commends Lewis Hamilton for using his platform to raise awareness about the lack of diversity in Formula One and for initiating the Hamilton Commission report, which provided valuable data and recommendations for addressing the issue.

* **Calum's Opinion on Formula One's Efforts to Promote Diversity:** While he recognizes the progress made in recent years, Calum emphasizes the need for long-term solutions, such as educational programs, to create sustainable change in the paddock's diversity.

* **Calum's Goals for the Remaining Races of the Season:** He expresses his determination to secure pole positions, fastest laps, and race wins in the remaining races, maintaining the team's focus and intensity despite having already secured both championships.

* **Calum's Excitement for the Upcoming Races in Austin, Mexico, and Las Vegas:** He anticipates the vibrant atmosphere and enthusiastic fans in Austin and Mexico, while also looking forward to the unique experience of racing in Las Vegas for the first time.


## Max Verstappen's Unparalleled Performance

Nicholas highlights the remarkable consistency and precision that Verstappen showcases on the racetrack. He emphasizes that Verstappen's relentless pursuit of perfection has propelled him to new heights, enabling him to chase record after record and establish himself as one of the most dominant drivers in Formula One history.

## Identifying the RB19's Title-Winning Potential

Nicholas pinpoints a specific moment during the season when he recognized the RB19's potential to secure the world title. He describes the car's exceptional performance during a particular race, which instilled confidence and optimism within the team.

## Reclaiming the Fastest Pit Stop Record

The podcast also addresses McLaren's recent achievement of setting the fastest pit stop record during the Qatar Grand Prix. Nicholas acknowledges the significance of this accomplishment and reveals Red Bull's determination to reclaim their title as the team with the quickest pit stops. He discusses the strategies and improvements they are implementing to regain their dominance in this crucial aspect of Formula One racing.

## Conclusion

The podcast concludes with Nicholas expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to share his insights and perspectives. He reiterates his congratulations to the team for their remarkable season and extends an invitation to listeners to join the upcoming episode featuring Nico Rosberg.