A report commissioned by Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, shows that more than 20,000 volunteers are needed each year to run the sport's 24 grands prix. The study highlights an average of 838 volunteers per race weekend in 2025, mostly marshals. It calls for better support and professionalization amid rising demands.
The FIA tasked its FIA University with surveying organizers and promoters of Formula 1's 24 grands prix to assess volunteering needs. The resulting report found that volunteers contributed 965,376 hours across the 2025 season, averaging 48 hours per person per weekend. Two-thirds took annual leave or unpaid time off to participate, with training and recruitment costs totaling 11.1 million euros annually and labor value estimated at 13.2 million euros. Workloads have increased by about 20% in recent years, according to the findings from the FIA's Sporting Organisers Working Group representatives surveyed for the report. The FIA aims to expand its global volunteer pool and professionalize roles like race control and stewarding for greater consistency. A new Concorde Governance Agreement with Formula 1 management will provide additional resources for officiating improvements, the report notes. Recommendations include appointing welfare officers, investing in technology and research, and creating a systematic volunteer management model. The FIA has launched an officials department to standardize training and a high-performance program that graduated six stewards to championships last year, with three race directors set for 2026 deployment. Plans for a centre of excellence in officials training are also advancing. Most volunteers remain involved for at least five years, drawn by training, camaraderie, and growth opportunities. FIA Formula 1 race director Rui Marques, who began as a marshal at age 18, told Motorsport.com: 'What I found is a family, wherever you go around the world. It's all about the passion for the sport.' He noted a welcome influx of younger marshals, linked to Formula 1's popularity boost from Netflix's Drive to Survive.
