International Automobile Federation: 20,000 volunteers support the Formula 1 season annually
Dubai, April 13 / WAM / Mohammed bin Sulayem, President of the International Automobile Federation, praised the efforts of volunteers and their contributions to the success of the Formula 1 World Championship races, stressing that this sport depends primarily on them.
This came on the occasion of the issuance of a study conducted by the Federation that revealed their role and value in supporting these races.
The study, prepared by the FIA University, the academic arm of the federation, and the first of its kind in the federation’s history, showed that organizing a full season of the Formula 1 World Championship consisting of 24 rounds requires no less than 20,112 trained volunteers, with an average of 838 volunteers in each race, equivalent to 42 volunteers for each driver, which is the highest ratio of volunteers to racers in any international sport.
The study showed that each volunteer provides about 48 hours of service in each race, bringing the total volunteer work hours to 965,376 hours during the season, which reflects the vital role they play in supporting the Formula 1 global racing series.
Mohammed bin Sulayem said that the Formula 1 World Championship depends on volunteers, as they are the backbone of this sport, and without them we would not be able to hold races, as they ensure the safety and integrity of the competitions, and act with professionalism and pride to support drivers, teams and fans.
He added that the study provides important insights into the role of volunteers, and reflects the size of the investment made by the International Automobile Federation to support them and enhance their participation, noting that volunteers, from flag monitors to rescue teams and accident officials, form an essential pillar in every round.
The study showed that 65% of volunteers take their annual leave or unpaid leave to participate in races, while the International Automobile Federation and its member clubs continue to invest in training and development programs worth more than 11 million euros annually.
She pointed out that two-thirds of Formula 1 volunteers have been participating for more than five years, which reflects a strong positive culture, despite the increase in volunteer work loads by 20% in conjunction with the global expansion of the sport.
The study also estimated the economic value of the volunteers’ contribution at approximately 13.2 million euros annually, stressing the economic importance of their role in supporting the tournament.
It included a number of recommendations to enhance the volunteers’ experience, including establishing a center of excellence dedicated to employing and training them in accordance with the latest innovations, in addition to developing a new charter that sets the minimum standards for supporting volunteers and appreciating their efforts during the rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship.
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