F1 freight going nowhere fast after Chinese GP

(GMM) F1's many tones of freight are going nowhere fast. After the Chinese grand prix, the teams are packing up their cars and equipment and delivering it into the pitlane as per usual on a Sunday evening.

The gear will then be moved to the local international airport by Formula One Management, with the sport's freight managed by Alan Woollard.

He confirmed on Sunday that the equipment – enough to fill six 747 jets – is not likely to be making the return flight in a hurry due to the closed airports across Europe.

"Until the airports open we'll be staying here," he said. "Hopefully we'll get out of here by the end of the week."

Woollard admitted that if the delay goes on beyond that, the freight might be flown straight to Barcelona.

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh had explained earlier that a delay of that sort might affect planned car developments for the Spanish grand prix.

"We are not so much worried about the people because we will find a way home, but we have got to get the cars back," he said.