Update 12:30 p.m September 26 2023: Mercedes reached out to level out that an earlier model of this story included ‘inaccuracies’ because the Formula 1 facet doesn’t inventory Red Bull drinks at its bars and the QR code ordering system couldn’t be accessed off web site.
A consultant for the staff informed Jalopnik that “whilst the QR code was visible during that interview, it was not functional for those not on-site (therefore people watching at home). Therefore, there was no overwhelmed hospitality team and the quotes are not from a Mercedes team source.”
The rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull in Formula 1 turned one of many hottest we’ve seen in years when it reached fever pitch again in 2021. But whereas Mercedes has lacked the type of their archrivals in latest seasons, the pair are nonetheless all the time out to take pop-shots at one another. Now, F1 followers have gotten in on the motion, bombarding Mercedes with orders for cans of Red Bull.
But how can followers order a Formula 1 staff cans of a pokey little vitality drink? Well, all of it kicked off at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka when seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was being interviewed for TV protection.
During the interview, followers noticed a QR code propped up behind him. Eagle-eyed viewers spied the code and scanned it to see what it led to. It turned out to be the cell ordering system for the hospitality bar at Mercedes’ setup in Japan, so followers shortly set to work.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, followers quickly started bombarding the Mercedes bar with orders for one merchandise particularly: cans of Red Bull.
The web site reviews that orders for cans of Red Bull quickly flooded the hospitality space, with Mercedes admitting that it did inventory a small variety of cans however “don’t advertise the fact.” There had been cans flying out to each Mercedes drivers, together with Hamilton and teammate George Russell. The web site added that orders for the vitality drink had been flying in for “several hours after the interview” went out.
To attempt to cease the orders of their tracks, Mercedes reportedly switched out the ordering QR code for a brand new one, however La Gazzetta dello Sport provides that “the damage had already been done.”
Now, the staff will probably be hoping to shake up its on-line ordering system on the remaining races on the 2023 calendar, which incorporates stops in Las Vegas, Qatar and Mexico.
Source: jalopnik.com