From F1 to 'flying cars': Bruno Senna joins new Airspeeder series

By James Attwood

10 Mar 2022

Former Formula 1 racer Bruno Senna will switch to drone racing in the new Airspeeder EXA series.

The Brazilian, the nephew of triple F1 world champion Ayrton Senna, races for HRT, Lotus-Renault and Williams in F1 between 2010 and 2012. Since then he has largely focused the World Endurance Championship, and also spent two seasons racing in Formula E.

Senna is the fourth driver to sign up to race an Airspeeder remote-controlled electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) drone. The machines feature 320kW electric motors and have a top speed of 125mph.

The 38-year-old will also serve as a key development drive for Airspeeder as it puts the finishing touches to the craft that will race in the EXA series that launches this year.

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Senna, who also has experience of e-sports and flying drones said that the series “combines my passions for racing, flying and being part of the development of cutting-edge technology.”

Series bosses claim that Senna is already having an impact on the development of the new racing format, such as advising on tactics for the ‘pit stop’ format. During races, Airspeeder craft will need to stop for rapid battery swaps, enabled by a ‘slide-and-lock’ system the firm has developed.

Airspeeder bosses added that race locations are set to be announced “imminently”. The EXA Racing Series for remote-controlled craft that will launch this year is intended as a stepping stone towards a series for crewed eVTOL machines that is set to launch next year.

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