From Lotus Renault GP
The Canadian Grand Prix is the only North American fixture on the 2011 Formula 1 calendar, with the continent expected to contribute to the sport further next year with the arrival of the US Grand Prix in Texas.
And with the Montreal race cropping up in the middle of what is known as the ‘European swing’, the logistics of getting everything across the pond become increasingly important. Shortly after Montreal comes Valencia, so it’s a case of putting in the extra hours to ensure everything finds its rightful home in time for the next stop on the tour.
This, however, is routine business for the Lotus Renault GP logistics team who have seen their fair share of complications over the years and are used to the challenges that the moving of heavy and expensive equipment across continents throws up.
"“Everyone who is involved in this side of things knows exactly where the items go when they are preparing to pack for the next race. Each person is responsible for a different area, so they are all comfortable with the task at hand," says Lotus Renault Race Team Coordinator Geoff Simmonds.
For the Canadian Grand Prix alone, around 70 team staff will travel, including eight members of the support team responsible for preparing all the equipment. And whilst it would be natural to think that the freight logistics would present constant bureaucratic difficulties, the truth is actually very different:
"Formula One Management (FOM) presents a strict schedule for shipment of freight to the event. Once delivered to the airport, FOM control the logistics of the freight leaving England and its arrival at the track for the event, so they do make our lives very easy," adds Geoff Simmonds.
The Canadian Grand Prix is the only North American fixture on the 2011 Formula 1 calendar, with the continent expected to contribute to the sport further next year with the arrival of the US Grand Prix in Texas.
And with the Montreal race cropping up in the middle of what is known as the ‘European swing’, the logistics of getting everything across the pond become increasingly important. Shortly after Montreal comes Valencia, so it’s a case of putting in the extra hours to ensure everything finds its rightful home in time for the next stop on the tour.
This, however, is routine business for the Lotus Renault GP logistics team who have seen their fair share of complications over the years and are used to the challenges that the moving of heavy and expensive equipment across continents throws up.
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| Facilities on the track - Photo: Lotus Renault GP |
"“Everyone who is involved in this side of things knows exactly where the items go when they are preparing to pack for the next race. Each person is responsible for a different area, so they are all comfortable with the task at hand," says Lotus Renault Race Team Coordinator Geoff Simmonds.
For the Canadian Grand Prix alone, around 70 team staff will travel, including eight members of the support team responsible for preparing all the equipment. And whilst it would be natural to think that the freight logistics would present constant bureaucratic difficulties, the truth is actually very different:
"Formula One Management (FOM) presents a strict schedule for shipment of freight to the event. Once delivered to the airport, FOM control the logistics of the freight leaving England and its arrival at the track for the event, so they do make our lives very easy," adds Geoff Simmonds.