Mercedes have denied a story circulating around social media from last weekend in Suzuka, that a carelessly placed QR code saw a number of cans of Red Bull delivered to key members of the team.
Over the weekend, Lewis Hamilton did an interview for F1 World Wire from the Mercedes Hotel. What (briefly) went unnoticed was a QR code displayed prominently in the background behind the seven-time world champion.
Curious viewers decided to scan the QR code, which led them to a surprising discovery:
This code can be used to order drinks for Mercedes staff, including Hamilton, George Russell and team principal Toto Wolff. While the popular story is that the energy drink cans were mass-ordered for the Mercedes trio, the truth appears to be less interesting – with the group denying that any orders for the competitor’s product were placed. Their competitors could all be placed by someone other than that person. physically on site.
Red Bull for Hamilton?”
A spokesperson for the group told US website Jalopnik:
“While the QR code is visible during this interview, it is not functional for those not on-site (i.e. those viewing at home). Therefore, there is no reception team overload and quotes do not come from Mercedes group sources.
Red Bull, of course, did have the last laugh in Japan anyway, sealing the constructors’ title thanks to Max Verstappen’s runaway victory.