OREANDA-NEWS. March 28, 2017. DHL is looking to drive new records for speed both on and off the Formula 1 track in one of the most highly anticipated seasons for many years. The company will once again be working closely with Formula One Management to ensure that the behind-the-scenes race operation runs smoothly and that all the cars and equipment are delivered seamlessly to every one of the 20 race venues. At the same time, DHL will also continue to reward the drivers and crews that deliver the highest levels of performance and speed at the racetrack with the DHL Fastest Lap and DHL Fastest Pit Stop Awards.

Official Logistics Partner

With the start of the 2017 Formula One World Championship in Australia, March is always an exciting time for Formula 1 fans all over the world. As Official Logistics Partner of Formula 1, DHL has also been gearing up with excitement for the new season. Drawing on over 35 years' experience in handling complex, time-critical international motorsport logistics, the DHL team of motorsports experts has been working throughout the off-season, in collaboration with Formula One Management, to plan and prepare for a variety of complex logistics requirements for the series. The team handles the overseas moves of up to 2,000 tons of precious cargo per race via sea and air freight, which includes the new cars, engines, fuel and oil, tires, spare parts and the media and broadcast equipment.

DHL Fastest Lap Award

Whether it's on the track itself or on the journey from one race to the next, speed and precision are crucial for flawless delivery. While the overall winner of the race might have completed the course in the least amount of time, the DHL Fastest Lap Award works a little differently: the award goes to the driver who accumulates the highest number of fastest laps consistently throughout the World Championship.

As it enters its 11th season, 2017 promises to be one of the most exciting yet for the DHL Fastest Lap Award. With the introduction of bold, new regulations and wider, more durable tires, the award will see a new level of speed as a result of the drivers being able to push their tires to the limit over longer periods, and to deliver even faster lap times. The top three drivers on the list of DHL Fastest Lap winners of the past 10 years are three former World Champions who will be battling it out for glory this season - with Sebastian Vettel leading the way with three DHL Fastest Lap Award victories, closely followed by Lewis Hamilton and Kimi R?ikk?nen, each with two.

DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award

The DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award was established in 2015 to recognize outstanding teamwork and performance from the behind-the-scenes team that makes a critically important contribution to the drivers' success on the track. Speed, teamwork and efficiency are attributes that DHL values in its own operations, and the Formula 1 pit lane on race day offers an unparalleled insight into the role that these attributes play in driving success.

2017 will see the introduction of a new points system for the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award, creating even more competition between teams both on the track and in the pits. Teams will not only be rewarded for the pit stop times, but the consistency at which they are able to achieve this; an achievement made all the more challenging by the introduction of wider, heavier tires!