FIA Report Reveals Massive Scale of F1 Volunteering

A landmark research report published by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) on April 10, 2026, has revealed the extensive scale of the volunteer workforce required to operate the FIA Formula One World Championship.

The study, conducted by FIA University, the academic arm of the governing body, establishes that more than 20,000 FIA-trained volunteers are necessary to support all 24 rounds of a full championship calendar.

On average, each Formula 1 grand prix weekend requires 838 volunteers to ensure the event is organized adequately and safely. This workforce consists primarily of marshals, but also includes observers, incident officers, and extrication teams.

Financial Investment and Economic Value

The report quantifies the significant financial commitment involved in maintaining this volunteer corps. Training and development programmes provided by the FIA and its member clubs represent an annual investment of over €11 million.

Beyond the direct cost of training, the study estimates the total labour value of these volunteer contributions at approximately €13.2 million, highlighting their essential role in sustaining the championship’s expansion.

Operational Impact and Volunteer Commitment

The data reveals a high level of dedication among the workforce, with two-thirds of volunteers having served for at least five years. This retention persists despite a reported 20% increase in workload.

The operational demands on these individuals are substantial. According to the report, volunteers work an average of 48 hours per race weekend. When extrapolated across the 24-race calendar, this totals 965,376 hours of service per season.

The commitment often extends into the volunteers’ personal lives, as two-thirds of the workforce take unpaid holidays or annual leave to participate in a grand prix weekend.

The Role of Volunteers in Motorsport Safety

The FIA notes that motor racing is the global sport most dependent on volunteers for the safe execution of events, spanning the entire pyramid from grassroots racing to world championships.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized the criticality of these individuals to the sport’s existence upon the publication of the report.

The FIA Formula One World Championship relies on volunteers, they are the backbone of our sport – without them we simply could not go racing. They ensure our competitions are safe and fair. They act with professionalism and pride, and they support drivers, teams and fans.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President

The research was compiled through a survey of the FIA’s Sporting Organisers Working Group, which represents the promoters and organisers of the 24 grands prix. The FIA intends to use these insights to continue providing support to volunteers in the most effective ways possible.