Sports & Championship

The 2025 Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is gearing up to be the largest edition in its 17-year history, with record-breaking attendance expected across Yas Marina Circuit and Etihad Park. To deliver an event of this scale, organiser Ethara has mobilised a massive on-ground workforce of more than 40,000 staff, including over 1,500 volunteers who play a crucial role in shaping the fan experience.

Volunteers join the programme through several UAE partners, most notably Emirates Foundation, which has been supporting the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. This year, 70% of the volunteer workforce is Emirati, while 30% are expats, reflecting the event’s inclusive and community-driven spirit. Positioned across key touchpoints, volunteers assist with guest services, accessibility support, information guidance, and multilingual assistance, often becoming the first welcoming face fans encounter upon arrival.

For many, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has become an annual tradition and a defining personal milestone. Numerous volunteers have progressed from participants in their teens to team leaders, gaining skills in crowd management, hospitality, communication, and operations.

One of them is Ahmad Al Musaabi, 24, returning for his fifth season. “This event is very significant for the region and for the country,” he said. “Every year is a new experience, and I learn more in three or four days than in an entire year. Seeing different cultures supporting their favourite teams in a safe space is what motivates me to return.”

Another volunteer, Alia Salem Al Ajeel, first joined as a student and now serves as a team leader—one of many women shaping the programme’s success. Women now make up nearly 70% of the volunteer base, a trend consistently reflected over the past three years.

According to Mohammed Al Abbasi, Senior Projects Lead at Emirates Foundation, the Grand Prix volunteer programme has evolved into a nationwide point of pride. “Formula One is one of the most attractive opportunities,” he said. “We see university students, government employees and volunteers from every emirate joining each year. The team becomes like family, and volunteers love giving back.”

Ethara’s Guest Experience and Operations teams collaborate with Emirates Foundation and other partners throughout the year to train and prepare volunteers. During race week, 250–300 Emirates Foundation volunteers are deployed daily across Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Island, supporting crowd flow, fan engagement, and operational requirements. About 75% of volunteers are aged 18–25, underscoring the programme’s appeal to the UAE’s youth and its role in nurturing future leaders.

As the world turns its attention to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, these volunteers stand at the heart of the event, ensuring every moment is seamless, welcoming, and unforgettable for fans from around the world.

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