The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global body for motorsport and mobility, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with DHL, making the logistics giant its new official global logistics partner.
This significant agreement, unveiled at the prestigious FIA Sustainability Innovation Series during the FIA Formula 1 British Grand Prix, highlights a shared commitment to boosting operational efficiency and drastically cutting motorsport’s environmental footprint.
Under this comprehensive deal, DHL will manage the transport, setup, and maintenance of vital FIA infrastructure for its top championships, including Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3. This means DHL will seamlessly move crucial trackside equipment like mobile offices, garages, and race signalling systems, ensuring smooth operations at racing events worldwide.
A core element of this collaboration is an ambitious push for sustainability. In a pioneering move, DHL will deploy a fleet of seven trucks powered by hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) for European logistics. This initiative is expected to slash emissions by up to 83% compared to traditional fuels, directly supporting the FIA’s bold goal to halve its carbon footprint by 2030 (based on a 2019 baseline). Beyond this, DHL will actively help the FIA optimize race calendars to create a more geographical flow of events, reducing travel distances and enabling the use of lower-carbon freight solutions.
FIA Chief Commercial Officer, Craig Edmondson, emphasized the dual benefits of the partnership and said, “This partnership with DHL is a great opportunity to collaborate not only on the vital behind-the-scenes work that goes on at any track event but also to drive sustainable practices across our industry. Pushing for greater sustainability across both motor sport and mobility is a priority for the FIA, and we are constantly seeking to embed this ethos into our ways of working, including our relationships with commercial partners.”
Paul Fowler, Head of Global Motorsports Logistics at DHL, echoed this sentiment and added, “The FIA is a long-standing pillar of the motorsport community, so taking on the role as its Global Logistics Partner is a great match for us. Our connection extends beyond the track. We share essential values such as safety, quality, speed, and precision, and we are both deeply committed to sustainability. Together, we champion alternative power sources and groundbreaking drive technologies that help reduce emissions along with regionalization of racing calendars.”
This new alliance with DHL is a significant addition to the FIA’s recently launched global partnership programme, which aims to connect with leading organizations that share the FIA’s dedication to innovation, safety, and sustainability. For DHL, the partnership further cements its strong presence in motorsport, building on its existing roles as the official logistics partner for Formula 1, Formula E, and the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
This collaboration is set to streamline logistical operations across FIA events, leading to a more focused and efficient supply chain. This strategic move aligns with the FIA’s broader commercial strategy and follows a period of robust financial growth, including a reported operating profit in 2024.
With this powerful new collaboration, DHL and the FIA are poised to accelerate the transition towards a greener future for motorsport, proving that peak performance and environmental responsibility can indeed go hand in hand.
