(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Across the majestic Yas Marina Circuit, where F1 cars, the masterpieces of engineering, vroom around the track under the heady mix of motorsport aficionados and Hollywood stars, you will notice young volunteers who are always ready to go the extra mile to make your Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix experience truly unforgettable.

These volunteers form one of the quiet pillars of an event that draws F1 fans from across the world every year.

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Having brought 350 British volunteers for the inaugural edition in 2009, the Abu Dhabi GP has taken giant strides since then, encouraging young Emiratis and expats to be part of the country's biggest sporting spectacle.

Today, Emirates Foundation, a government entity, provides more than 450 volunteers for the event at Yas Marina which will host the season finale on Sunday.

“Volunteers register on Volunteers, shortlist themselves for the Formula One opportunity, and attend orientation,” Mohammed Al Abbasi, Senior Projects Lead – Regional, Emirates Foundation, told the Khaleej Times.

A two-day training, which includes team-building activities and communication sessions, prepares the youngsters for the race weekend.

“We have volunteers stationed in the grandstands as ushers, volunteers who drive club cars, and volunteers who are trained specifically to assist people of determination,” said Al Abbasi.

“We also deploy courtesy car volunteers, multilingual volunteers who speak Japanese, French, Italian, and English, sign language volunteers, and protocol volunteers supporting VVIP guests.”

An Emirati, Al Abbasi takes great pride in the overwhelming response to Emirates Foundation's initiative at the Abu Dhabi GP.

“Volunteers now come from Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, and both government and private-sector entities send their staff to participate. Many volunteers want to return each year because they want to give back,” said Al Abbasi, a regular at Yas Marina since 2009.

“I have been doing this for 16 years. I know every part of Yas Marina Circuit, and over the years the team has become like a family.”

Salama Al Hamadi, a 27-year-old Emirati female volunteer, has returned this year after making her debut as a track marshal in 2021.

“It was very hot, and our post was on a straight section of the track with no action, but seeing the cars was fun,” she said before revealing the important life lesson she learned at Yas Marina.

“It forces you to be part of a team, because you cannot remove a car part alone,” she said.

While Salama, a mechanical engineer, has taken up an admin role for this year's Grand Prix, Indian expat Rish is excited to work as a photographer.

“It is a good opportunity because you can meet people from around 180 countries. Volunteering helps you gain skills and knowledge, and it gives you the chance to explore your own potential for the future. I am grateful for this opportunity,” he said.

Mohammed Yazeed bin Dhabban, an 18-year-old Emirati, still gets goosebumps remembering his Abu Dhabi GP experience as a spectator in 2022.

“It was amazing. The sound of the cars rushing by, the crowds, the people, and the joy, everything was incredible,” he said.

Now, the youngster is back at Yas Marina to serve as a volunteer.

“I want to gain experience, meet people, and learn how to manage a group of people in the future,” he said.

“And I was surprised by the structure they work with, how they distribute people across different locations, and how they manage the large number of visitors from different countries and cultures.”

Being an Emirati, Mohammed says it fills him with pride to work at a truly world-class event.

“I feel proud. It brings me a great sense of honour, and it should bring every local person honour to be here and to work with and represent the country,” he said.

“I was here (three years ago) as a spectator; it was very different, but I am much more proud to be a volunteer.”

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