From Start to Centenary: DHL Delivers 100 FIA WEC Races
The roar of engines, the endurance of drivers, and the precision of logistics—behind every FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) race lies a story of seamless global coordination. This September, that story reaches an extraordinary milestone: the 100th WEC race, staged at the iconic Fuji Speedway in Japan from September 26 to 28. At the heart of this achievement stands DHL, the Official Logistics Partner of FIA WEC, which has made the impossible possible for more than a decade.
Since the championship’s inception in 2012, DHL has been entrusted with orchestrating one of motorsport’s most complex logistical undertakings. The WEC is not a single-location competition but a globe-spanning series that tests not only cars and drivers but also the supply chains that power them. In 13 years of partnership, DHL has transported everything from state-of-the-art race cars to intricate broadcast equipment, making sure that every circuit around the world is transformed into a stage fit for endurance racing’s biggest moments.
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
Carlos Fernandes, Head of Motorsports Germany at DHL Global Forwarding, captures the essence of this collaboration:
“Our 13-year partnership with FIA WEC is built on shared values of precision, performance, sustainability, and global excellence. Together, we continue to push boundaries in motorsports logistics while championing innovation and responsibility.”
DHL’s role goes far beyond moving equipment from one race to another. It symbolizes reliability, efficiency, and a forward-thinking approach to sustainability—qualities that align closely with FIA WEC’s own mission. Fernandes explains that DHL ensures not only the timely and safe transport of cars, tires, and infrastructure but also integrates new methods to cut emissions and reduce the sport’s overall carbon footprint.
The Numbers Behind the Milestone
Reaching the 100th race has been no small feat. DHL’s logistical record reads like a snapshot of endurance racing’s global scale:
- 45,000 metric tons of equipment transported, including race cars, broadcast gear, hospitality structures, and technical infrastructure.
- 500 race cars shipped safely across continents, each one handled with utmost precision.
- 500,000 racing tires delivered, ensuring drivers can push limits in all weather conditions.
- 1.5 million liters of fuel moved securely, enabling long-haul racing without disruption.
Each statistic tells a story of relentless commitment. Every tire, every liter of fuel, and every car represents countless hours of planning, coordination, and execution.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of the FIA World Endurance Championship, emphasizes DHL’s integral role:
“DHL has been a loyal and long-standing partner to FIA WEC from the start, reliably transporting cars, equipment and infrastructure around the globe to keep the show seamlessly on the road. As a brand that shares our commitment to sustainable solutions, there are many common synergies. We look forward to celebrating FIA WEC’s 100th race together in Japan—and to the next 100 races to come.”
Logistics That Fuel Motorsport
Transporting the WEC is not like shipping standard cargo. Each race requires moving sensitive equipment across multiple continents under tight deadlines. DHL uses multimodal solutions, blending air, sea, and land freight to ensure efficiency. This approach allows them to balance speed with sustainability:
- Air freight is used sparingly, mainly for time-critical shipments.
- Ocean freight is prioritized, supported by sustainable maritime fuels to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
- In Europe, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)-powered trucks handle road freight, further reducing carbon intensity.
These innovations are crucial in today’s context, where the motorsport industry faces pressure to address its environmental impact. DHL’s leadership in sustainable logistics demonstrates how global transportation can evolve without sacrificing performance.
Behind the visible spectacle, a dedicated team of six motorsports logistics specialists works tirelessly. Their job spans from managing customs clearance to coordinating last-minute shipments, ensuring nothing is left to chance. In endurance racing, reliability is everything, and DHL mirrors that spirit in logistics.
Fuji Speedway: A Symbolic Stage
Hosting the 100th WEC race at Fuji Speedway adds historical weight to the milestone. Nestled at the foot of Mount Fuji, the circuit is one of motorsport’s most revered venues. Its long straights and challenging corners test drivers and machines alike, making it a fitting stage for this centenary celebration.
Fuji also reflects WEC’s global character. From its roots in Europe, the championship has expanded into Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas, demonstrating motorsport’s universal appeal. Each expansion has required DHL to adapt routes, explore new freight solutions, and continually refine operations to meet the demands of diverse geographies.
Sustainability: The Next Frontier
While celebrating 100 races is an achievement, both DHL and FIA WEC are clear that the journey is far from over. The next frontier is decarbonization. DHL has already made significant strides, but the ambition is to continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable logistics.
For DHL, this means scaling up its use of green fuels, investing in carbon-efficient shipping technologies, and innovating in packaging and loading methods to maximize efficiency. For FIA WEC, it involves ensuring that every aspect of the championship—from cars to circuits to logistics—evolves toward a lower-carbon future.
This shared vision positions the partnership not just as a logistics arrangement but as a strategic alliance driving meaningful change in global motorsports.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
The story of DHL and FIA WEC is one of growth, resilience, and innovation. When the championship began in 2012, few could have predicted the scale it would reach within a decade. Now, with 100 races delivered, the horizon looks even more ambitious.
As Fernandes puts it, DHL’s work is about more than moving cargo: it’s about enabling moments. Every overtaking maneuver, every checkered flag, and every podium celebration is made possible because the right equipment is in the right place at the right time. That invisible backbone allows the visible spectacle of racing to unfold.
Lequien echoes this sentiment, looking to the future: “If the first 100 races have taught us anything, it is that endurance racing thrives on partnerships built on trust and innovation. DHL has been essential to this journey, and together we are excited for the next chapters to come.”
The Legacy of 100 Races
The Fuji race is more than just a sporting contest. It represents a centenary of achievement in motorsports logistics, showcasing what happens when excellence in racing meets excellence in global supply chains. DHL’s story within FIA WEC is one of invisibility and visibility at once—rarely in the spotlight, yet always indispensable to the show.
With new technologies on the horizon and an increasing commitment to sustainability, the partnership between DHL and FIA WEC is poised to redefine the way motorsports operates on the global stage. Whether it’s the next 100 races or the innovations yet to come, one thing is certain: the journey is just beginning.