LONDON : A new report by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile has highlighted the massive contribution of unpaid volunteers who help run the Formula One season, underlining their importance to the sport’s operations.
According to the findings, more than 20,000 volunteers are required across a single season, collectively contributing over 965,000 hours. On average, each race weekend needs around 838 trained volunteers — roughly 42 for every driver on the grid — to ensure events run safely and efficiently.
These volunteers serve in critical roles such as marshals, incident responders, stewards and technical observers, forming what the FIA described as the “backbone” of the sport. Their contribution is valued at approximately €13.2 million annually, a figure that highlights their significance despite being unpaid.
The report also pointed to the contrast between this volunteer effort and the sport’s financial scale. Top drivers like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris earn tens of millions, while teams such as Ferrari are valued in the billions and the sport generates billions in annual revenue.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized that without volunteers, Formula One races could not take place, praising their professionalism and dedication.
The study also found that volunteer workloads have increased by 20% over the past five years, with many taking unpaid or annual leave to participate. Notably, two-thirds have been involved for at least five years, with nearly a third contributing for over a decade — underscoring the long-term commitment sustaining one of the world’s most glamorous sports.
