The logistics team for the FIA World Endurance Championship is responsible for the travel and transport of individuals and cars all over the world, as well as the set-up of all teams upon their arrival at a given circuit and the installation of the FIA WEC marque on-site. The organizing of the six 2021 races around the globe in seven months is rendering their task particularly complex.

80 containers of materials

The FIA WEC is facing multiple logistical challenges. Time constraints are significant as it is often difficult to get from one destination to another in the allotted time frame. Bad weather is a serious concern since in the FIA WEC, for economic and ecological reasons, the 80 containers of materials are transported by ocean freight. The logistics team must ensure the budget is respected as transport is one of the biggest expenses it manages. FIA WEC head of logistics and operations Vincent Drapeau: "Our goal is to respect the initial package we've purchased. This is why we carry out ongoing negotiations with our partner, DHL." Long-time partner DHL knows the transport of these materials inside and out thanks to a team dedicated to the FIA WEC. The materials are always transported in the best possible conditions. 

Though the process has worked like a well-oiled machine since the championship's inception in 2012 thanks to the loyalty of its teams and partners, the COVID-19 pandemic has put added pressure on the logistics team. "For a year now, there are less cargo ships on the water and the cost of ocean freight has increased," says Drapeau. Despite this, the logistics teams will welcome new teams in the best possible manner. "The other championships in the endurance pyramid are excellent training in logistics for the teams." The logistics department has a global vision of each event and the team members are the first to arrive at the circuits and the last to leave.

"An epic challenge"

There are also containers dedicated to tire manufacturers. For example, in 2019 for the Sebring round, Michelin utilized between 15,000 and 20,000 tires since the French marque was also supplying competitors in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. "Last year, Michelin's containers numbered about a dozen," says Drapeau.

The rescheduling of the 89th 24 Hours to 21-22 August amounts to "an epic challenge" this year for the logistics team. The organizing of the 6 Hours of Fuji on 26 September just one month after Le Mans race offers a very narrow window for the transport of materials from France to Japan. Also, the teams will only have three weeks to manage the cars and prepare them for shipment. The cargo should arrive in Fuji the weekend of 18-19 September.

While drivers in the FIA WEC work to gain precious seconds to achieve the best result they can, the logistics team members are also in constant motion. "It's another race against the clock," concludes Drapeau.

To learn more about the FIA World Endurance Championship, go to the official championship website.