Teams use different modes of transport to move equipment and personnel between venues depending on the distance between them. The key to logistics as with any operation is to keep costs down. The second consideration is given to the time available to move the circus. But the efficiency of the exercise is not compromised on any cost or constraint. Teams use road transport wherever possible. If the distance between the venues is large, teams opt for air or sea transport.

Formula 1 cars is a delicate and very costly bit of equipment. It has to be handled, packaged and transported with great care. This article will discuss the packaging and transportation of F1 cars first. The rest of the paraphernalia, which is also critical for the event to go smoothly, will be approached later. If the time between two races permits, the cars will be flown back to the factory, Their suspensions, engines, gearboxes and power packs will be thoroughly checked. The chassis of the car will be repainted before being shipped to the next venue.
 
 
Formula 1 cars are modular in structure. They are assembled part by part and dismantled the same way. The front and the rear portion of the car is bolted together. While the nose of the car and the drivers cabin form one unit, the engine, power unit and the rear porting for another. The front and the rear portions of the car are designed to separate in the event of a severe crash protecting the driver. The driver is thus protected in case the engine catches fire. The whole car can be dismantled and packaged in a matter of a couple of hours.
 
F1 cars are dismantled as soon as the FIA officials have finished checking the cars for technical compliance this make take an hour after the chequered flag falls. The cars are dismantled by the team mechanics. The rearview mirrors, suspension, engine, gearbox and power units are housed in their foam boxes. The front and rear wings are also similarly packaged. Tools needed to maintain and repair the car often go along with the car. The foam boxes are designed to make optimal use of the space in the container. The car chassis is covered with a specially built protective cover.
 
The containers in which these parts of the car are packaged are specially built with a cushioned floor. This is to prevent sudden movements and vibrations to the parts of the car. The trailer that will carry this container is also air-cushioned. The boxes in which the parts are packaged are designed in such a manner as to fit in their allotted slot within the container. Once thus packaged, the containers are ready to be shipped to another venue by road, air or sea. Formula 1 cars are mostly transported by either road or air.
 
However, only Formula 1 cars alone do not a Grand Prix make! There is a need to shift and transport a whole lot of personnel, spares, tools and equipment between venues. The slightest glitch can disrupt the performance of the team at a venue. This slip could cost the team precious points or even the race affecting the outcome at the end of the season. That is why the shipping list and schedule is prepared weeks in advance and is reviewed every so often. The review considers the shortcomings encountered in the previous events and upgrades the lists and schedule.

Critical personnel, equipment, spares, tools and furniture are needed by a team, besides the Formula 1 cars, for a successful performance at a racing weekend. The personnel and things will be needed on different days and times of the week starting preferably on Wednesday morning. In the case of back to back racing weekends the teams have to be especially careful. If an item is missed out, there is very little time for recovery and it spells immense trouble.

An F1 team employs hundreds of personnel through a season. A race team may have between 50 to 75 or more personnel. Besides them, there are media personnel and trainers that may need to be on site. Taking into account the factory teams that design and build the chassis, engines and other components, an F1 team employs anywhere between 800 to 1000 people. Of these employees, the race team are the critical personnel that need to reach a venue in time. They may include but are not limited to:
 
●      Set-up crews
●      Mechanics
●      Engineers
●      Drivers
●      Strategists
●      Strategists
●      Senior Management teams
●      Communication personnel
●      Chefs and kitchen staff
 
The list is compiled in no particular order and is definitely not comprehensive. Different persons may be needed on different days. All the persons have to be present throughout all race days. All of the personnel use different modes of transport and routes to get to the venue. There is also a whole lot of equipment that needs to be shifted from one venue to another.

●      Formula 1 Cars
●      Pit garage set-up
●      Mechanical equipment
●      Tools
●      IT equipment
●      Chairs, tables and other hospitality equipment
●      Motor homes and team bases
●      Cooking equipment
●      Food
 
This list is not comprehensive again and may include other items.

The FIA, as the organiser of Formula 1, has to move its whole set up between races. They use the same modes of transportation as do most teams. The FIA inspects circuits at the venues for readiness weeks or even months before the racing weekend. They too prepare a transportation schedule well before the event. The schedule and the arrangements are reviewed periodically and changes are made according to any new developments.
 
The FIA has to transport many things. The most critical among them are:
 
●      Formula 1 and FIA senior management
●      Safety cars and medical cars
●      Safety car and medical car operators
●      Formula One media centre
●      IT and Media equipment
●      IT and Media operators
●      Formula 1 motor homes for personnel
 
Of the equipment listed above, the motor homes for personnel are only moved around Grands Prix venues in Europe. Russia and Azerbaijan are too distant and uneconomical to drive to. Equipment and personnel to these venues are mostly transported by chartered and commercial planes.