Horner: Freight delays can be “devastating”

The entire global logistics has been disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. These two crises have led to problems in the global supply chain, causing widespread freight delays. The MotoGP has also experienced the consequences of this during the Argentine Grand Prix, with the first Friday practice sessions being canceled.

During preseason trials in Bahrain, it was the Haas Formula 1 team that paid the price. With delivery delays and transportation issues, the team missed the first half-day of testing and had to make up for it in the following two days. In Australia, the teams in the paddock narrowly escaped a similar situation. Thanks to the F1 partner, DHL, everyone was able to receive their equipment on time as they effectively managed the cancellation of the boat meant to deliver the parts.

Furthermore, the end of the season is going to be particularly tight, as it must be completed before the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November. This is why Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull, is concerned about possible freight delays.

“It’s a big challenge,” admitted Horner. “We have a very complicated schedule with very tight deadlines, and with triple-headers and double-headers coming later this year, it’s obvious that a freight delay would be disastrous.”

« But in addition, there is the cost factor and I think that transportation is close to double this year. We see it in the cost of daily life, inflation across the world and I believe that when you consider that freight is at its ceiling limit, we have to find a reasonable allocation that takes into account these inflationary costs. » concluded the British.