F1 Proximity Created “Most Difficult Edition” Logistically

Driving Force Events boss Andrea Ficarelli proclaimed the 2024 edition of the Lenovo Gulf 12 Hours to be the “most difficult from a logistics point of view” due to the close proximity to the Formula 1 finale, but added that the lessons learned will allow for a similar format next year.

Official track sessions for the 14th running of the Abu Dhabi enduro will be entirely completed across Saturday and Sunday, as the late finish to the F1 calendar has resulted in a compressed schedule.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was held last Sunday, which was then followed by two days of post-season F1 testing and two additional test days for Formula 2 after that.

As a result, F2 cars were still running on track while buildup for the Gulf 12H took place, with the incoming teams having received access to the paddock and their containers early on Friday morning.

Ficarelli, CEO of Gulf 12H promotor Driving Force Events, has described the process as a learning experience, admitting that there was uncertainty about the format’s feasibility until the very last moments.

“So this has been probably definitely the most difficult edition from a logistics point of view,” Ficarelli told Sportscar365.

“It is a race with different new elements for us, very challenging.

“So it was also very important in order to define what our format for the future will be and when the race will take place in the future as well.

“Because until yesterday we were not 100% sure that the current format, so just a few days after the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Formula 1 testing and the Formula 2 testing, could work for the Gulf 12 hours.

“For example, we didn’t know until yesterday evening when we were really able to access the garages. There were different plans. 

“The most pessimistic plan was opening the garages at 4 p.m. today and you can imagine what would have happened in a case like this.

“But yesterday we understood that there was realistically the chance to open the garages early this morning as it really happened at the end.

“And this is a very relaxing news because it means that now in the future we can plan again the race based on three days, at least one day of setting up, then Saturday and Sunday. “

Ficarelli also explained that things were further complicated by the addition of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup finale in Jeddah.

A number of teams competing in the Gulf 12H also raced at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with Ficarelli stating that the logistics from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates were “so complex to understand.”

“It was very difficult for us to sell a product without understanding well how the transportation between one place and another was working,” he said.

“Then we noticed a lot of stress from the teams’ point of view about the needs of running in the last round of the European series. “

However, with the lessons learned from an operational and logistical standpoint, Ficarelli proclaimed that Driving Force has “noticed the feasibility of things.”

This has led the promoter to opt for a similar scenario for the 2025 edition, provisionally setting its date for Dec. 14th and once again placing it one week after the F1 finale on Dec. 7, although further evaluation with teams will take place after the event has finished.