FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has paid tribute to the volunteers and officials of the UAE and the wider Middle East, calling them among the best in motorsport. His message came during the 2026 FIA Volunteers and Officials Month, backed by figures showing just how many unpaid people it takes to run Formula 1.
The tribute
In a statement issued from Dubai on 26 October 2026, Ben Sulayem said volunteers and officials in the region deserve recognition for helping make the Middle East a thriving hub for international motorsport. He called them “the lifeblood of our sport” and said there would be no racing or rallying without their dedication, professionalism and passion. October is the second FIA Volunteers and Officials Month, after the first was held last year.
What the FIA praised in the UAE
Ben Sulayem singled out UAE volunteers and officials for their work at the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and the FIA World Baja Cup. He credited the Emirates Motorsports Organization, the UAE’s FIA member club, for upholding the highest standards behind the scenes, citing the efficiency of marshals and officials at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the Dubai International Baja.
Who the volunteers are
Flag marshals, scrutineers, race directors and medical and rescue crews keep a huge calendar of FIA events running safely and fairly, from Formula 1 to rallying, hill climbing and drifting.
The numbers behind the FIA study
A study this year by the FIA University, the federation’s academic body, put figures on the volunteer effort in Formula 1 for the first time. It was based on the 2025 season.
- 20,112: the minimum number of trained volunteers needed to staff all 24 rounds
- 838: the average number of volunteers at each race weekend, a ratio of about 42 per F1 driver on the grid in 2025, which the FIA says is the highest volunteer-to-competitor ratio in global sport
- 48 hours: the average service per volunteer over a race weekend
- 965,376 hours: the total contributed across the season, which the report says is almost certainly an underestimate because it counts only on-duty hours, not training
- 65%: the share of volunteers who take annual leave or unpaid time off to serve
Why it matters in the UAE
The UAE hosts a full calendar of international motorsport, from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina to desert rallies and Baja events. The people in orange overalls and on the safety crews are central to all of it. If you’re interested in volunteering, the Emirates Motorsports Organization is the place to start.
Sources: FIA press release via Mid-East.info, Dubai, 26 October 2026; Reuters on the FIA volunteer study, 10 April 2026.
