Ross Brawn: Formula 1 and DHL are successful together

Ross Brawn, Formula One’s Managing Director of Motorsports, spoke about the importance of logistics for Formula 1 in the run-up to the 2017 FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE MÉXICO and was full of praise for the fine way, in which DHL has handled logistics for F1 over the course of many years.

Things are particularly hectic in Formula 1 during October, as just one week separates the United States Grand Prix and the Mexican Grand Prix, representing a huge challenge for the F1 circus. Ross Brawn, Formula One Managing Director of Motorsports: “Formula One was primarily based in Europe 20 to 30 years ago and did not feature many overseas races, but we now have plenty of them, as we see with both Austin and Mexico.”

The shipping of cars and all the associated equipment has become a vital part of Formula 1

Ross Brawn

On the Thursday before the Mexican GP, Brawn attended a press conference organized by DHL along with DHL Country Manager Antonio Arranz, during which we were able to gain some interesting insights into what goes on behind the scenes in the top tier of the sport. “The shipping of cars and all the associated equipment has become a vital part of Formula 1,” said Brawn. “Teams can’t race if a component doesn’t arrive at the racetrack in time.”

DHL delivers parts during the race weekend

For many years now, it’s been the job of DHL as Official Logistics Partner to ensure that Formula 1 can contest its races all around the world. “DHL moves all the equipment for us, without which we wouldn’t be able to deliver TV pictures,” said Brawn, highlighting the company’s role. “The whole of Formula 1 team depends on having a very professional logistics partner like DHL, and we’ve successfully worked together for many years now.”

The whole of Formula 1 team depends on having a very professional logistics partner like DHL

Ross Brawn

While the cars arrive at the circuit a few days before the race, many items are not delivered until the race weekend is actually underway, which represents a very special logistical challenge. “The parts don’t leave the factory until they’re finished,” explained Brawn, who was full of praise for DHL. “You need a partner who can deliver parts asap.”

Teams would not be able to maintain the momentum of development but for these speedy deliveries. “The cars are two seconds faster at the end of the season than they were at the start, and you would lose if you didn’t make improvements,” said Brawn, who won the 2009 Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championship with his outfit. “When I had my own team, I knew that new parts would get to the racetrack as soon as soon they were ready.”

DHL Awards are very much appreciated

However, DHL is not just responsible for Formula 1 logistics but also recognizes excellent performance during the race with the DHL Fastest Lap Award and the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award. To give you some good examples, there’s Sebastian Vettel’s new lap record at the Circuit of the Americas and the tire change by the Williams crew that took just 1.92 seconds at Baku in 2016, setting a new world record for pit stops.

It’s an amazing achievement to execute a pit stop in under two seconds

Ross Brawn

“It’s an amazing achievement to execute a pit stop in under two seconds, and I know that teams are always very pleased to win this trophy,” said Brawn. “And it’s a prestigious thing too for drivers to get the DHL Fastest Lap Award.” In view of the enormous success enjoyed by the DHL Awards, the Formula One Managing Director of Motorsports could even see himself presenting these awards at some point in the future.