Formula E
Formula E – a look behind the scenes, part 2
Massimo Foroni
Formula E: on the tarmac, lots of logistics equipment
Formula E logistics - box being loaded into cargo hold
Formula E: boxes being lifted into plane
Formula E: box being loaded onto plane
In Part 2, Massimo tells us all about race day and the all-nighter he and his team have to pull to re-load Formula E and return the streets of Beijing back to the city.
Read Part 1 to find out what happens behind the scenes in the days just before an ePrix
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13: RACE DAY AND LOAD-UP
12:00 I have a late start because I’m going to be up until the early hours of Sunday. After breakfast I walk to the race track and talk to the DHL teams in preparation for the evening load-up.
13:00 I take a tour of the pit lanes. The gates opened at 7am and there are already a lot of spectators around the Olympic Park.
14:00 The qualifying races are finished. I talk to the logistics manager of the Andretti team. We’re close to these guys because we also work with them on the Indycar races. There’s lots of activity in the pit lanes. The sound of roaring engines may be absent, but the sense of expectation and excitement is just as intense.
“We all breathe a collective sigh of relief as Nick steps out of the wreckage unharmed.”
16:00 The race begins! I’m watching from behind the scenes and the atmosphere is electric.
17:00 Just before the end of the race there is a terrible crash! We all jump up, hands over our faces as the Nick Heidfeld’s car flies into the air and turns three somersaults before smashing to pieces as it hits the tarmac. We all breathe a collective sigh of relief as Nick steps out of the wreckage unharmed. Meanwhile the winners cross the finish line, the checkered flag waves and Lucas de Grassi of ABT is the winner of the first ever Formula E Grand Prix.
17:30 We take a moment celebrate Lucas’ win in the DHL Car with some champagne!
18:00 This is when my job really begins. Without a moment to spare we start loading the 24 trucks and 16 containers. Everything has to be moved to a very small storage area so the city can start preparing for a national festival in a week’s time. As fast as we clear a section, the city starts to build up their tents and stages. There is a traffic ban in Beijing between 11pm and 6am so we can’t start moving the packed containers until the morning.
22:00 I grab a bite to eat and then roll up my sleeves and head out to check progress. Language is a bit of a problem so I have to stand on a truck and use gestures to explain where I want everything to go. It’s going to be a long night.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14: PULLING AN ALL NIGHTER
05:00 I’m done for the day, or is it the night? The materials are in the storage area and the trucks that are packed are ready to roll. They will make their way to the docks where the freight will be re-packed and made ready for the journey by ship to Malaysia. I head back to the hotel and bed.
11.00 Over breakfast I scan the press. The coverage is great! Prior to the race the press weren’t paying Formula E much attention. Now it’s grabbed the headlines.
12:00 I’m back at the racetrack supervising further container loading. Despite the crash I note that the Venturi team has packed a complete car for Nick Heidfeld into the car box we use to transport the race cars. Because the battery was not damaged in the crash they were able to completely rebuild the car using spare parts. 19:00 I take a break with the team to grab something to eat, but then we’re back on the track checking the ongoing loading of the containers.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15: ALL ABOARD AND HEADING HOME
05:00 I call it a night and head back to the hotel.
14:00 I wake up, grab breakfast and head back to the track. We should finish loading the last few containers today and tomorrow. On Tuesday and Wednesday I’ll be down at the port overseeing the re-packing of containers and making sure everything is ready to be loaded onto the ship. I’m looking forward to flying home to Modena in Italy on Thursday. I travel some 150 to 180 days every year, but for Formula E it’s a little more. I’ll be happy to see my girlfriend. I like traveling and I love motorsports, but I really like being at home. And when I’m there I’m still close to my passion: Modena is the home of Ferrari so I’m never far away from the smell of burning rubber and the thrill of fast cars.
Massimo Foroni
A member of the DHL Motorsports Team based in Italy, Massimo is an operations manager for Formula E, Formula 1 and Indycar who works closely with customers like Ferrari and Lambourghini. He is passionate about motorsports and all things automotive.
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