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This building goes up and down before every race. Luckily they have quite a few otherwise it would be impossible.
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Of all the sports this must be the biggest nightmare to take on every other week.A team of 70 or 80 people and then 4 cars (2 racing and 2 back up). Then the mechanics need at least one of each spare and backups. Sometimes they don't go back to their HQ for weeks at a time and it is important to have every possible thing for that "in case" moment. The richer teams are able to plan far ahead and never have to worry too much about running out of things.
What we all see is the race and not what is going to make that race possible. When the teams are in Europe it is a little easier as most of the teams are based in Europe. Team Haas has it's HQ in the States, but also has a second HQ at Silverstone for when the races are in Europe.
Teams need to move after the race on Sunday and be set up within 3 and a half days at the next track. Testing and qualifying cannot be delayed so by Wednesday night everything needs to be ready again for the next race. Can you imagine breaking everything down and packing and then travelling 1000 miles across Europe as they had to do recently from Austria to Silverstone. Each truck has 3 drivers so the only stopping is for fuel.
When races are overseas in China for Instance containers are sent months ahead in advance so they are there when they teams land. No critical parts are sent ahead of time and it is the extras only. The Formula One Company arranges cargo Boeing 747's for the teams and that is why some races have a two week break in between. Europe is normally 7 days between races.
The way the teams get around this is they have 5 separate kits. They will send these kits by sea to the fly away races. Most of the stuff will be chairs and appliances plus a few spares, but then again Red Bull has a three storey building which comes down and has to go up within 3 days at the next race. As the first race finishes it will be packed up and sent to the next far away destination so they are always ahead of the races to come. Obviously the cars can't go as they have 4 and they stay with the racing team at all times. Only non critical equipment travels ahead of time.
Last year the race was held in Sakhir, Bahrain followed by Shanghai ,China. The problem is China is already 5 hours ahead and there is no ways they could make it on time. This is why kits are sent out ahead of schedule and timings are very important. If you look at where they have to go and sometimes it is within a week between races. Bahrain, China, Australia,Baku and Montreal are the first 5 races of the new season. Once Bahrain is finished the containers are loaded and sent to the next far fly away race like Brazil.
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This would have messed up Renault's preparations this week and hopefully no cars were inside this one.
The teams actually look forward to the races in Europe as it is easier to truck and move quickly. Also having their bases in Europe they can make new parts and fly them in if required at short notice.
