via Getty
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 10: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally retouched) The F1 drivers pose for a photo on the grid with their cars during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 10, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
via Getty
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 10: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally retouched) The F1 drivers pose for a photo on the grid with their cars during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 10, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
F1 paddock is like a traveling circus, moving from city to city around the world throughout the year. The task of getting the teams and their cargo to the next location on time is a delicate one. Hence, the logistics of F1 is a well-planned operation. Despite that, some teams almost did not receive their gear in time for the Australian GP.
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This logistics delay meant a few teams escaped tragedy by the skin of their teeth ahead of the weekend in Melbourne.
Australian GP Logistic Issues Explained
3 teams were on the verge of being no shows at the 2022 Australian GP due to missing equipment. Their equipment was part of a 42- day journey to Australia by sea. However, their cargo was delayed on its way to the outback. This was a point of major concern for the teams that needed the equipment for the weekend.
Ultimately, DHL’s Vice President of Motorsport Logistics flew to Singapore to get the cargo in transit to Melbourne in time for the races. To do so, 2 flights were reallocated, with one being from LA and the other from Vietnam.
DHL, F1’s official logistics partner has come to the rescue and helped the teams avoid a major catastrophe this weekend.
Not the First Time F1 Has Faced Logistic Concerns
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This is not the first such instance as teams have previously struggled with logistics issues. Most recently, Haas was late to pre-season testing in Bahrain. But that’s not all. Last year, multiple teams were without their cars on Thursday ahead of the Brazilian GP.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Brazilian Grand Prix – Jose Carlos Pace Circuit, Sao Paulo, Brazil – November 14, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas at the start of the race REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes
The issue has lately hampered MotoGP as well. Similar logistic issues have led to the re-scheduling ahead of the Argentinian GP as cargo failed to arrive after the Indonesian GP. The situation was so bad that one of the Friday sessions had to be canceled and the other had to be rescheduled.
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Incidents like these must be gut-wrenching for the teams and the governing bodies with millions of dollars on the line. Hopefully, such incidents will be few in between in the future. How do you think the Australian GP is going to pan out?
