“We obviously don’t drive our trucks to the long-haul events which are Mexico, Argentina and Australia this year,” says Sven, who formerly co-drove for Belgium’s Freddy Loix. “The cars and spares – which represent between 9 and 11 tonnes – are flown out to these three rallies by air freight. However, the majority of our basic equipment is shipped around the world in five 40-foot containers. These units left Europe in January and we will retrieve them at the end of the season.”

Two of the containers carry the mechanics’ equipment and tools, plus certain stock components, and they double up as covered workshop facilities in the service park. “We have two containers for the recce equipment, too, while the fifth container carries the marquee out of which the engineers work, as well the personnel minibuses. This container is also equipped with a fridge unit, so it serves to store our catering supplies, although the hospitality marquee is rented locally each time.”

To camouflage these rather unsightly units and keep the team’s service area looking smart and efficient, the containers are concealed by branded tarpaulins. “We used to cover them in plain red sheets, but they have featured full Red Bull Citroën Racing branding since 2009.”

Argentina