Formula 1's glamorous world, driven by millionaire drivers and luxury brands, relies heavily on an army of unpaid motorsport volunteers. A recent report by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) reveals the significant commitment required to stage races safely.
Organizing a single 2025 F1 championship round necessitates an average of 838 trained volunteers. For the 24-race season, a minimum of 20,112 individuals are needed, each dedicating approximately 48 hours over a race weekend. This totals nearly one million hours annually, with the report acknowledging this is likely an underestimation as it excludes training time.
These volunteers fill crucial roles, including flag marshals, observers, incident officers, extrication teams, and stewards. Their collective support is valued at an estimated 13.2 million euros ($15.5 million) annually.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated, "The FIA Formula One World Championship relies on volunteers; they are the backbone of our sport - without them we simply could not go racing." He emphasized their professionalism and role in ensuring safety and fairness.
The workload for these volunteers has increased by 20% in the last five years, with many taking leave to participate. A significant portion of volunteers have dedicated five years or more to the sport, with nearly a third involved for over a decade.
The report suggests investing in a dedicated Centre of Excellence to further incentivize and support these vital contributors to Formula 1.