Shocking Details From Tom Cruise’s Red Bull F1 Test Revealed by David Coulthard 12 Years Later

Red Bull events are all about collaboration and the F1 team has always been happy to entertain celebrities. From Pharell Williams to Paris Hilton, many celebrities have been spotted at Red Bull Energy Stations over the years. But one of the most iconic collaborations has to be the one with Tom Cruise.

Back in 2011, Hollywood star Tom Cruise collaborated with Red Bull’s show team, resulting in one of their most-watched films with over 14 million views on YouTube. Cruise was invited to drive a Formula 1 car at the Willow Springs Raceway in California, with driving lessons provided by David Coulthard. And 12 years after the incident, as reported by formule1.nl Coulthard shared why he was not that excited to meet Tom before they spoke.

David Coulthard’s disapproval of Tom Cruise’s management

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David Coulthard is one of F1’s most iconic drivers with over 13 Grand Prix victories and 62 podium finishes under his belt. There was an incident that he recalled before meeting Tom Cruise that has come to light after 12 years. While talking about Tom Cruise, Coulthard said, “His management told us beforehand something like: ‘don’t approach him yourself, he will come to you’, things like that. But when Tom arrived he was friendliness itself, shook hands with all the mechanics, and brought his son with him.”

Currently serving as an analyst at Viaplay, Coulthard’s expertise in the racing world contributes to the success of the team’s ventures. So it’s no shock that stardom does not affect Coulthard. He was shaken by the way his management started setting rules on the team but spoke about Tom’s down-to-earth personality.

His openness and approachability contrasted with the initial instructions given by his management. Despite spinning once during the drive, Cruise quickly recovered, showing his ability to handle unexpected situations calmly. The one thing that impressed Coulthard was that despite spinning out, Cruise kept the car running and managed to drive it back to the pitstop.

Cruise’s Top Gun pilot skills came in handy during the driving experience, as he showcased precision and quick thinking after going off track. His background as a certified pilot contributed to his calm and collected response while he spun out the F1 car.

Driving the F1 car was not enough for Tom Cruise

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Although not initially planned, a Red Bull helicopter was available, and Cruise took the opportunity to go on an unplanned adventure, doing loops with the pilot. David Coulthard was offered the chance to join, but he politely declined. That’s when Cruise took on the helicopter and decided to show some skills while he was at it. The multi-talented actor not only flew the Red Bull helicopter but also managed to do a barrel roll and a loop-de-loop in the air.

Cruise’s behavior behind the wheel reflected his fanatical approach, reminiscent of his roles in action films like Days of Thunder and Top Gun. Initially, the plan was for a two-hour appearance, but in the end, Cruise extended his time, leaving the team waiting for him at the end of the day due to his intense enjoyment of the experience.

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While this was a fun experience for both Tom Cruise and David Coulthard, it took 12 years for Coulthard to share his view on the experience. With that said, do you expect to see more of Tom Cruise collaborating with Red Bull in the future? Let us know in the comments below.

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