DHL brings rail into its Formula 1® logistics for the first time

DHL Group has successfully completed its first-ever use of rail freight in Formula 1 logistics, marking a milestone pilot program in North America during the 2026 season. DHL moved approximately 50 containers, including 46 forty‑foot high‑cube units and four 20‑foot containers, of race equipment by rail from Miami, Florida, to Montreal, Canada, covering nearly 2,000 kilometers. Around 68% of the F1 freight handled by DHL for this leg that would typically be transported by road was instead moved by rail, reducing reliance on more carbon‑intensive transport while meeting Formula 1’s strict timelines.

“Introducing rail into our race‑to‑race logistics mix shows how established transport modes can be applied in new ways to support sustainability in a highly time-critical environment,” said Paul Fowler, Head of Global Motorsports Logistics at DHL Global Forwarding. “The successful delivery of all freight in this pilot demonstrates that rail can reliably support Formula 1’s demanding schedule while contributing to lower emissions. This reflects how DHL and Formula 1 continue to evolve logistics solutions to reduce the championship’s environmental footprint, while laying the groundwork to scale new approaches.”

Throughout the journey, containers were equipped with tracking devices and shock sensors to monitor handling, transit times, and cargo integrity, ensuring the safe and punctual delivery of race equipment. The collected data is now being used to assess key operational criteria and sustainability performance as DHL and Formula 1 explore opportunities to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the series.

Building on a long-standing partnership focused on decarbonization

DHL’s pilot of rail freight builds on more than 20 years of partnership between DHL and Formula 1, supporting Formula 1’s Net Zero goal for 2030 and DHL Group’s Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050.

Rail now complements DHL’s broader multimodal logistics strategy, alongside other emissions-reduced solutions deployed across the Formula 1 calendar, including:

• The use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for selected air‑freight operations via book‑and‑claim mechanisms, delivering up to 80% lifecycle greenhouse‑gas emissions reduction compared to conventional jet fuel.
• More than 50 biofuel-powered trucks supporting European road transport, achieving on average an 83% reduction in greenhouse‑gas emissions compared to traditional diesel trucks.
• Optimized route planning based on F1’s increased regionalization of race logistics to reduce transport distances and improve efficiency across the season.
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The Miami–Montreal rail pilot successfully demonstrates the potential of rail freight as part of Formula 1’s logistics network and represents a foundation for future expansion, with DHL and Formula 1 jointly evaluating opportunities to scale rail usage in North America from the 2027 season onward, subject to calendar structure, operational feasibility, and performance results from the 2026 trial.