Logistical challenge - Nielsen

The Mild Seven Renault F1 Team’s Sporting Manager, Steve Nielsen, explains how the team went from one paddock to another, in the space of just three days. The 2006 season has begun at breakneck speed for every Team Manager up and down the pit-lane.

With two flyaway races separated by just one week, the calendar gave the teams a serious logistical headache at the very start. The Renault F1 Team, like all its competitors, left the Bahrain paddock on Sunday and was ready to go in Malaysia just three days later.

Steve Nielsen explains the challenge for the team: “We started packing things as soon as the race was over in Bahrain. The champagne was opened to celebrate Fernando’s win, then we were straight down to work. We had already run a full race – and there were 8 hours’ more work to do!” While certain mechanics were packing boxes, others were stripping the three R26 chassis. Some parts went back to Esntone and Viry – for example, the gearboxes and suspension. Others flew directly to Malaysia.

“We finished working at about 02:00. The boxes left the track one by one for the airport, while the mechanics went back the hotel and flew to KL the following morning. We only got four hours’ sleep!”

All of the equipment arrived in Malaysia on Monday evening. From Tuesday morning, the boxes were in the paddock and 25 team members immediately began building the garage. “Some teams received the freight later than us – people like Honda or Ferrari. We were lucky – it’s one of the benefits you get from being champions!” At 16:00 on Tuesday, the garage was full operational. “We began building the cars up the next day,” concludes Steve. “It is a meticulous operation that demands two full days. And we were ready to go on Friday morning.”

To recover from these two crazy weeks, the Renault F1 Team mechanics will enjoy five days’ well-earned holiday from Monday, when the main priority will be to recharge their batteries – and not to pack a single box!