The F1 stables in discussion with the British government due to Brexit
In 2020, the United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union, resulting in many administrative and economic consequences. For Formula 1, this withdrawal brings about issues that the teams based in the United Kingdom could have done without.
It’s James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams, who shed light on the issues related to Brexit in Formula 1. Obviously, they concern the teams based in the United Kingdom or having at least one factory on the island and complicate the logistics, already quite complicated in Formula 1.
« The important thing is that we are currently producing several hundred carnets to facilitate the entry and exit of goods,” explains the British engineer. The carnets he is referring to are customs documents that allow for the temporary importation of goods. To put it simply, they are like a passport for goods. Since Brexit, they have become essential for stables based in the United Kingdom.
But there is even more complexity, as James Vowles explains. « One of the imposed restrictions is that, for example, if we go to Imola, which we have done, and elements are damaged, you must bring everything back to the United Kingdom », he said. In other words, everything has to go through the United Kingdom again.
« In terms of calendar construction, we cannot go to the United Kingdom, Imola, Canada, for example; we must go to the United Kingdom, Imola, return to the United Kingdom, remove the items from the carnet, and then continue to other countries. There is therefore a movement of components that is not useful at the moment for the sport, including in calendar optimization. There are also movements of people that are difficult, so there is certainly more latency, or more time wasted in airports on both sides » explained James Vowles on the challenging logistics related to Brexit.
A meeting with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Before the British Grand Prix, the team bosses of Formula 1 were able to visit Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Together, they discussed the contribution of Formula 1 to the UK, as well as the problematic points related to Brexit, in order to find a solution.
« I think it is certainly, from what I understood, the first time we are really engaging well with the government, and the government has been very responsive to our situation. It was a very good conversation,” declared James Vowles.
Zak Brown, executive director of McLaren Racing, also added a few words about this promising meeting. « It’s great that Stefano Domenicali managed to bring all of this together. The government is very supportive of Formula 1, recognizing how much it contributes to the economy and entertainment in the country. It’s more the logistics and supply chain that, if we can work together to free them up, will make everyone’s life a little easier », he said.
Things seem to be heading in the right direction to get rid of the problems related to Brexit. As a reminder, seven Formula 1 teams are based in the United Kingdom, with only Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and AlphaTauri being exceptions. The stakes are high.
