DHL delivers F1 freight to Abu Dhabi for 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

F1 freight is handled centrally by Formula One Management (FOM) and DHL, its official logistics partner.

It took five 747s and 35 sea freight containers (five 20ft; thirty 40ft) to carry freight for the 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Throughout the F1 racing season, DHL moves up to 300 tons of equipment per race across 4 continents and between 17 countries by land, sea and air, to a tightly controlled timetable. DHL global network which links 220 countries and territories worldwide ensures that replacement transport can be provided at very short notice and from local resource, should any vehicle breakdown occur.

Each overseas race, an average of 20,000 individual items per race is transported by air. DHL works for most of the F1 teams to help manage the freight generated. This includes all racing cars as well as their replacement; parts - engines, tires, and spares; complete gas/petrol requirements; and additional freight such as TV equipment, VIP tents for the Paddock Club, computer equipment, laptops, up to 100 radio sets and headphones. Not forgetting all the useful things that make life in the paddock more convenient and cater to VIP guests - from paper serviettes and vacuum cleaners to champagne.

DHL also have an 'Extra Services Team' standing by to meet the special requirements of the teams, organizers and sponsors. Deliveries to and from the track can be made within 24 hours by express flights. An on-board courier accompanies any urgent package throughout the journey, expedites clearance through customs and even takes it directly by helicopter directly to the paddock if required.

In addition to overseas transport of cars, engines, motor fuel and the equipment, DHL will also be responsible for the organizational aspects and last-minute deliveries. It will set up a mobile DHL Logistics center at the racetrack to offer round-the-clock service for urgent shipments, customs clearance as well as shipments of hazardous goods and temperature-controlled items.

"The DHL team never stops working. Even while the race is on, engineers are constantly working on improvements and parts need to be available at a moment's notice. Well-engineered logistics support that is fast, precise and yet flexible is the backbone of the world's fastest performance car race. DHL is proud to be the official F1 Logistics provider for the race followed by 5.4 bn people in the world,"

Garry Kemp, Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, DHL Express.

A select global team from DHL works closely with Formula One Management (FOM) to ensure seamless logistics support for all F1 races and official test runs around the world.

On the Monday after the race (2 November), DHL will load the freight for transportation - most of it will go back to Europe where the teams are located. DHL has specialized units, located in England and Italy, to coordinate the transport of cars, equipment and fuel to all F1 tracks around the world by air, sea and land.