FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has paid tribute to the volunteers and officials in the UAE and across the Middle East, saying they are among the best in the world. He made the comments as October is marked as the 2026 FIA Volunteers and Officials Month, the second time the Federation has run it.
“Volunteers and officials are the lifeblood of our sport, and without their dedication, professionalism and passion, there would simply be no racing or rallying,” said Ben Sulayem.
Praise for the region
He singled out the volunteers and officials who have worked at the FIA Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and the FIA World Baja Cup. He also credited the Emirates Motorsports Organization for the standards seen from marshals and officials at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the Dubai International Baja.
Around the world, volunteers and officials such as flag marshals, scrutineers, race directors and medical and rescue crews keep FIA events running safely, from Formula One to rallying, hill climbing and drifting.
The numbers behind Formula One
An FIA study published earlier this year by the FIA University, the Federation’s academic body, found that at least 20,112 trained volunteers are needed to staff all 24 rounds of the Formula One World Championship each season. That is an average of 838 volunteers at each race weekend, or 42 for every driver on track, which the FIA says is the highest volunteer-to-competitor ratio of any global sport.
Each volunteer gives about 48 hours to a race weekend, which adds up to 965,376 hours across the season. The report found that 65 percent of volunteers take annual leave or unpaid time off to take part.
You can read our earlier story on Ben Sulayem and the return of V8 engines, and Ignite GP and Galaxy Warriors cover more motorsport in the UAE.
FIA Volunteers and Officials Month: Details
- When: October 2026
- Where: FIA events worldwide, with tribute to volunteers and officials in the UAE and the Middle East
- Key figures: At least 20,112 volunteers for 24 F1 rounds; 838 a weekend on average; about 48 hours each per weekend
See also: Ben Sulayem on the V8 return to Formula One, Ignite GP double victory, Long weekends in the UAE.
Image: courtesy of Total Communications (photo: Xavi Bonilla / DPPI)