The new Formula 1 season starts next weekend. Even as a child and teenager, I was fascinated by the world of Formula 1. I followed almost every race live, no matter what time of day it was and was carried away by the speed, the thrill and of course the legend in general, Michael Schumacher! Nobody shaped the racing series as much as Schumi did and his talent and determination still inspire me to this day. But while I followed the victories and championships with shining eyes, I had no idea what enormous logistics were going on behind the scenes to make these spectacular races possible. Today we're taking a look at Formula 1 from the perspective of an enthusiastic logistician.
The invisible championship: The logistics behind Formula 1
The fascination of Formula 1 lies not only in the speed of the cars and the brilliance of the drivers, but also in the extraordinary logistics that form the heart of this global sport. Less visible, but at least as impressive, is the logistical achievement that makes it possible to transport the Formula 1 racing circuit around the globe.
Changing course: The influence of sea transport on Formula 1
Until the mid-2000s, teams rented their equipment locally for overseas races. But with the switch to sea transport around 2004, a slower but more cost-effective mode of transport than air transport, a new era began. “We have five sets of sea freight traveling around the world,” explains Gerrard O’Reilly, Red Bull Racing . Each team has several identical sets of equipment that allow them to be present in different locations at the same time.
The art of planning
The logistics of Formula 1 is really an art in itself, the logistics championship you could say. On the European routes, the racing cars are conveniently organized by truck transport, which is also our strength and where we at OCS have been looking after our satisfied customers for more than 30 years. For the remote venues, it is air freight that becomes the indispensable artery for smooth logistics. For this purpose, six Boeing 777s are chartered every year, carrying an impressive load of everything from chassis and engines to the delicate wings of the racing cars. That's around 30 tons of freight per team, which is transported by air from race to race. Together, the planes travel around 150,000 km every year - a distance that far surpasses the challenges of an overloaded suitcase. DHL has played a key role as the official logistics expert for decades , masterfully solving the complex task of moving the Formula 1 circus globally.
The challenge of Brexit
In Europe, where most of the racing calendar takes place, road transport is common. But since Brexit, truck transport between Great Britain and the rest of Europe has become more complicated, comparable to overseas racing. The border crossings, especially through the tunnel, with 40 trucks are a challenge. “Not all trucks get through this so smoothly,” says Sissing, another logistics expert. A barely visible but crucial challenge in transport logistics in Formula 1: customs clearance. Every part that crosses customs borders carries with it a history of complex paperwork and stringent customs formalities. This is where the ATA Carnet comes into play, a complex logistics element that declares the parts for temporary import and allows them to slide smoothly through customs controls. Here, the smallest inattention can make the difference between victory and defeat. Imagine how Schumi would have felt back then if he had had to go without his beloved Italian spaghetti on a race day.
A personal commitment to excellence
In this world of complex logistics, OCS plays a crucial role. My own enthusiasm for Formula 1 and the realization of the logistical masterpieces behind every race inspired me to also move up to the master class with OCS. Our expertise in the area of customs clearance and the transport of highly sensitive goods supports our customers to ensure that everything runs smoothly - a mission that is also somewhat influenced by my passion for motorsport.
What connects us to Formula 1
The logistics of Formula 1, a race against time far beyond the race track, require precision and speed every second. As part of OCS, I am proud to often make a decisive contribution to smooth logistics with our specialized expertise and our commitment to our customers. When it comes to the daily challenges of truck transport to Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Central Asia, I often associate the speed and agility of Formula 1 with our actions. Solutions are often required right away that can also make the difference between “victory and defeat” for our customers.
So you could say our work reflects dedication and the pursuit of excellence, inspired by Formula 11, to push boundaries and exceed expectations. At OCS, we treat every shipment with the care of a racing car, knowing that behind the scenes our work is crucial to our customers' success. Our goal: to play the invisible but indispensable role that supports transport across Europe and enables our customers to achieve their goals.
