Derek@TRG

So, F1 just raced in Austin texas on nov 18, they start practice at the next event ,in Brazil on Fri Nov 23. 4 days apart. Do they have at least two complete garage/pit road/spares packages to make this situation possible.

Or, is it possible to get all the equipment packed up and transported to another country and then have time to set it up again??

I know how the NASCAR teams do back to back west coast races, but this is something totaly different, much more equipment and many many more miles!!

I was able to find a little info, http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/un...port/5297.html

Maybe they can pack it up and get it to Brazil and re set up that quickly, if so, BRAVO BOYS!!

sonny1

FEDEX/DHL/UPS does wonders!!This a very well oiled machine!!
Sonny1.

savowood

The whole thing is packed up before the Sunday night party is over. It's in the new city typically by midday Monday. They unload and have it at the track for setup by the end of the day. Tuesday, everything is ready for testing.

Derek@TRG

WOW, thats amazing!!

multi21

Same stuff, next day, different country. Amazingly organized chaos with 18-20 hour days being common for the staff.

There is a video that made about the process this year. I'll try to find it.

paradisenb

All it takes, Derek, is a few hundred million euro budget to makes these things happen. You know, pocket change.

Derek@TRG

Thanks for the quick responses guys!! Working on our team for many years I know how long it can take to pack up after a race and we dont have anywhere near the amount of equipment the F1 guys do.

Truly impressive!!

Pete, I would love to see that video.

multi21

http://www.myspace.com/video/f1-at-t...ck-up/44826678

multi21

http://lotusf1team.com/Pack-Em-Up-an...g.html?lang=fr

This next one is excellent and apparently they do send "duplicates" of heavy equipment they need by sea freight way ahead of time. Cars are always air freight.

Derek@TRG

Awesome videos!! Thanks Pete. I knew there had to be duplicates of some of the equipment. Its just too much work and too risky to cut it that close.

It takes the Flying Lizard guys half a day each to set up and break down their pit road set up, while its elaborate for ALMS, its peanuts compared to to theF1 garage set ups.

I appreciate everyones thoughts on this, i find it extremely interesting!!

Derek@TRG

If anyone else finds this stuff interesting:

http://www.f1complete.com/content/view/1842/392/

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xalcf2_f1-logistics_sport

multi21

Your welcome. It's my way of paying you back for the great pit/garage pics you took last Thursday in Austin.

Scootin159

It was posted above, but yes for flyaway races they normally have two sets of support equipment going via sea freight to alternate locations - but the cars themselves and tons of other stuff is still packed and sent air freight.

DHL handles all the shipping, with the FOM managing much of the coordination.

Another fun fact - it costs about $40k/yr per team member for coach airfare and hotels per season. Top brass who fly first class up that to over $400k/yr. Ironically they don't acquire huge loyalty bonuses with many airlines as they have to use so many different airlines.

Derek@TRG

So, maybe i should have done some more searching before asking here. Search "F1 logistics" on YOU TUBE and you will get plenty of videos to choose from, most of them very informative!

Some teams will have up to three replicas of major items such as garage set ups, Engineer stands etc that are constantly moving around the globe months ahead of everything else.

I have done the logistics and paperwork for getting two of our haulers across the Canadian border to Montreal and Mosport, it is a fair amount of paperwork including a full trailer inventory for each hauler. I cant begin to imagine the work needed to move all that F1 equipment smoothly and accurately to its destination. Im sure it doesn't come cheaply!!

Darkstar1

We do the same basic thing in the film business and it all boils down to money and manpower...
And never buy less than two of anything so things can move ahead of you.