--- title: "Video Shows F1 TV Helicopter Get Hit by Fireworks During US Grand Prix" description: "A TV helicopter was hit by fireworks during the Star-Spangled Banner before the Formula 1 Austin Grand Prix." date: "2023-10-29" modified: "2023-10-29" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/video-shows-f1-tv-helicopter-get-hit-by-fireworks-during-us-grand-prix" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Video Shows F1 TV Helicopter Get Hit by Fireworks During US Grand Prix ![]() *Bryson Sullivan* No American sporting event can begin without at least a few fireworks and the [Formula 1]() grand prix in Austin, Texas was no different. However, the fireworks show that kicked off the [Austin Grand Prix ]()last weekend didn't go as smoothly as planned, as a TV camera helicopter was caught in the middle. Thankfully, disaster was avoided. In a video from Twitter user [Bryson Sullivan](), you can see the helicopter engulfed in the fireworks' explosions and even hear bits of debris hit it. Once the pilot realized they were in a dangerous spot, they flew away from the fireworks pretty quickly. The pilot avoided significant damage to the helicopter but it could have been much worse. https://twitter.com/NaturalParadigm/status/1717778592585670667?s=20 “It’s definitely super dangerous,” a source within the helicopter community told *The Drive*. “A number of things that could go wrong: the windscreens are acrylic so \[a firework\] could go right through and hurt the pilot, the engine could ingest something if there’s no barrier filter, debris could get into the rotor controls. The \[body\] panels are thin aluminum or carbon fiber so it could puncture one of those and hit a flight control or wire,” they added. It's pretty horrifying to think about a [helicopter engine]() potentially ingesting firework bits and failing, or the pilot being incapacitated from debris perforating the windscreen, all while flying above a venue with over 400,000 people in attendance. The video doesn't seem too scary at first, thanks to the pilot's quick thinking and even quicker hands. But it must have been a brown-pants moment for that pilot when they heard fireworks suddenly hit the helicopter. The fireworks were launched during the end of the Star-Spangled Banner, as per usual. Though, maybe next time let's not make the "bombs bursting in air" literal. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()