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Ferrari leave nothing to chance in their
preparations for a grand prix, especially from the organisational point of view. For a
typical European race the Ferrari team will transport around 35 tonnes of equipment.
The equipment includes spares and many parts that could be needed during the course of a
race weekend along with usually four cars, one is dismantled. The Ferrari convey involves
nine vehicles, which are used to entertain guest and the media along with carrying parts
and pit equipment. One truck is used for supporting Ferrari's customer engine partners.
This convey of equipment needs to be organised perfectly and it is the job of Stefano
Domenicali who is the team manager to organise.
"Everything has to be perfectly organised," explains Domenicali. "The work
can be split into two phases: one which takes place at the offices of the Gestione
Sportiva and the other which takes place over the course of the race weekend, at which
time we also have to take into account the drivers' official duties."
Under Domenicali's charge are fifteen other dedicated workers, one of whom is Miodrag
Kotur. Miodrag is in charge of all the logistics and is in charge of looking after
everything to do with the transportation, from air tickets to accommodation. Once at the
race Kotur also monitors tyre use and operates a pit board.
"The road to winning a race begins when a truck goes out the gates at
Maranello," recounts Kotur. "During a race weekend, the truckies also work as
mechanics, tyre men and other jobs besides. Versatility and availability are two important
requirements of this job."
With races in Europe the start for Ferrari begins on the Sunday before the race, and comes
in three stages. Stage 1 is to see all the pit equipment organised and sent on its
journey. Stage 2 is to pack and send all the technical material. The final stage is
usually undertaken on a Tuesday night or Wednesday morning when cars leave Maranello in
various stages. Team personal use charter flights and arrive at the venue on Thursday
morning.
For the 2001 season Ferrari have a new motorhome for the team. "The project for this
new vehicle took almost a year to complete," explained Kotur. "It has two levels
with a total area of around fifty square metres. On the top floor are offices for Jean
Todt and Stefano Domenicali, as well as two rooms where the drivers can relax and have a
massage.
"The lower level houses logistics and the department which deals with the sponsors.
It also houses the audio-visual set up, which includes a hi-fi with CD, satellite
television and DVD. On the outside is a covered area which is home to the entire team for
the three daily meals, as well as the kitchen which is home to two cooks."
Over the course of the season the Ferrari vehicles with cover around thirty thousand
kilometres, not much compared to a commercial vehicle, but the Ferrari convey plays one of
the many vital roles in the success of the greatest ever F1 team. |
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