DHL introduces rail freight into Formula 1 logistics

DHL has completed its first rail freight operation for Formula One logistics during the 2026 season.

The company transported around 50 containers of race equipment by rail from Miami to Montreal, covering nearly 2,000 kilometers.

The shipment included 46 forty-foot high-cube containers and four 20-foot containers.

DHL said around 68% of the Formula 1 cargo normally moved by road for this route was shifted to rail.

The pilot aimed to reduce reliance on more carbon-intensive transport while maintaining Formula 1’s strict delivery schedules.

All containers arrived successfully and on time.

“Introducing rail into our race-to-race logistics mix shows how established transport modes can support sustainability in a highly time-critical environment,” said Paul Fowler, Head of Global Motorsports Logistics at DHL Global Forwarding.

During the journey, DHL equipped containers with tracking devices and shock sensors to monitor cargo handling and transit performance.

The company said the collected data will help evaluate sustainability benefits and future operational use.

The rail pilot forms part of DHL and Formula 1’s wider decarbonisation strategy.

Other measures include the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for selected air cargo shipments and biofuel-powered trucks across European race logistics operations.

DHL said its European trucking fleet achieves an average 83% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel trucks.

The company and Formula 1 are now evaluating the possibility of expanding rail freight use in North America from the 2027 season onward.

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