Getting the logistics right is a crucial part of Ferrari’s Formula One game plan.When Michael Schumacher takes the chequered flag for Ferrari, all eyes focus on the man and the machine. But none of the race-day glory would be possible were the background preparation and the logistical organisation not of the highest order. Shortcoming in this key area can translate very quickly into failure on the track.
The man behind the massive task of logistics for the Ferrari race team is Stefano Domenicali. He spoke with Evolution and outlined the intriguing details of getting Ferrari set up and ready for each Grand Prix.
Domenicali’s job is to go unnoticed, for it is only when things go wrong that the spotlight turns on him.
How important is logistics to the success of Ferrari?
Every part of what we do at Ferrari is important, but of course logistics is crucial. If we are late getting set up, if an engine part fails to arrive, if a part is not properly checked and tested and it fails, then we have a problem, a very big problem.
It must be a huge job. How many people work for Ferrari Formula One?
More than 700.
And how many people travel with the Ferrari team to each Grand Prix?
Ferrari has about 80 people who travel to each race, and then there are about 20 people from the various sponsors, so about 100 people in all.
How do you get the gear from Maranello to a Grand Prix?
If it is a European Grand Prix, we truck the gear. For each Grand Prix we take four trucks. If it is further abroad, we charter planes. For Europe we also have three motor homes and three support vehicles.
Do you have an estimate of how much gear you take to each race?
Yes, it’s 30 tonnes of equipment – 30,000 kilograms.
What do you take?
For a start, we take three cars plus one spare chassis. We take six gearboxes and between 13 and 15 engines, with three of those attached to the cars.
What about suspension?
We take three sets per car, so that’s nine. We also take four nose cones, four front wings, four rear wings and several different flaps, depending on the configuration of the car we anticipate using.
And tyres and wheels?
The FIA set constraints on how many we can use – 10 sets per weekend. So every car has 10 sets of dry tyres and seven sets of wet tyres. So together that’s 34 sets of tyres and we take about 14 sets of wheels with us.
Computer systems are crucial to the operation. What do you have here?
The computer systems are divided into three main areas. The first is the telemetrics units, which constantly check and monitor data on the car. This allows the engineers to modify the set-up. Second we have the normal PCs where everyone is linked up and able to analyse the data and be in contact. And third, and vital to us, is the system that links us to Maranello. During race time we constantly analyse the data with the people there, and this is transmitted via satellite. So we have to book space through a telecom company ahead of each race.
That must be expensive?
It is very expensive, but it’s essential.
What about the on-board computer system?
We move the systems in racks, and there are two racks per car. In all we have about 10 electronics units with us at each race weekend.
How do you organise the staff?
We allocate a team to each car. Each car has three dedicated engineers, seven mechanics and two technicians. So multiply that by three.
How long before a race do you send the gear out?
Generally, we leave a week before race day, which is always on the Sunday. And we aim to be set up ready for around-the-clock work about 24 hours before the beginning of the practise days. Practise begins on Fridays. The personnel fly in on the Thursday, so they can get settled in.
How do you organise the computer systems in the pits?
We have 24 computer screens on the pit wall, plus between three and five PCs. We monitor the situation on TV screens; we are in direct contact with race control to exchange information about the developments in the race.
How are the teams organised in the pit for a pit stop?
As soon as the car comes in, we have between 20 and 22 people surrounding the car, which is four metres long and 1.8 metres wide. So it has to be highly organised. We have to practise and practise to get it right. For example there are three people dedicated to change each tyre. They can do that in three seconds.
What is most exciting for you about working with Formula One?
Well, of course it’s the race. The race is extremely exciting. But I have to say that to see Grand Prix go without a hitch, to see that all the organisation and logistics have worked smoothly, that’s a huge satisfaction. It’s an enormous job.

David Passey
Appelberg journalist and co-editor of Evolution magazine
photos Antonello Nusca, lat and Ferrari